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'NO. 260, SECOND 61TARTOR. 10
THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY
"The beauty and riches of the word have a transforming influence on
mind and character."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 132.
"There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the
study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts,
to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible.
If God's word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of
mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in
these
times."—Steps to Christ,
page go.
"The more you search the Scriptures with humble hearts, the greater will
be your interest. . . . Every day you should learn something new from the
Scriptures."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 266.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I
pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my
Sabbath school lesson each day of the week.
Name
LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER
I. The Divine Purpose in the Captivity
2.
Deliverance From Captivity
3.
The Sacrificial System Restored
4.
The Rebuilding Hindered
5.
Rebuilding Resumed
6.
Zechariah Encourages the Builders
7.
Further Messages of Encouragement
8.
The Temple Completed
9.
The Ministry of Ezra
It). Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls
it. Reforms Instituted by Nehemiah
12.
Failure of Exiles to Fulfill Divine
Purpose
13.
The Divine Purpose Fulfilled in the
Christian Church
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 260, April-June, 1960. 20 cents a single copy, 75 cents
a year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the
U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street,
Mountain View, California. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California.
When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.
Copyright, 1960, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
LESSONS FOR TODAY FROM THE TIMES OF
EZRA AND NEHEMIAH
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The times of Ezra and Nehemiah here
mean not only the period covered by the
lives of these men but also the historical
times covered in the books bearing their
names. The period thus extends from the
return of the exiles under the decree of Cy-
rus about 537 B.C. to the close of Nehe-
miah's governorship some time before 407
a.c. Ezra's ministry began in 457 B.c.,
and Nehemiah's about 444 B.c.
In the ancient Hebrew manuscripts the
two books of Ezra and Nehemiah con-
stituted one volume. A division first ap-
peared in the Septuagint and from there
was carried over into the Latin Vulgate.
About the middle of the fifteenth century
the division appeared in a Hebrew manu-
script and was subsequently perpetuated in
Hebrew printed editions. From these it was
carried over into our present versions. Ezra
is believed to have been the author of the
two books.
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah min-
istered during the early part of the times of
Ezra and Nehemiah, and their writings
provide the basis for many of the lessons
we may draw from those turbulent times.
Those were the days in which the Lord
set His hand the second time to recover the
remnant of His people, which had been
scattered abroad. But Israel failed to learn
God's lessons and to fulfill His purposes
after the return from Babylonian captivity,
and today He is gathering the spiritual
remnant from every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people. The first remnant failed
to fulfill the divine purpose in their gather-
ing. It is for us to learn the cause of their
failure and thus avoid a repetition of their
blunder. "For whatsoever things were writ-
ten aforetime were written for our learn-
ing, that we through patience and comfort
of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom.
15:4.
Lesson 1, for April 2, 1960
The Divine Purpose in the Captivity
MEMORY VERSE: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written
for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures
might have hope." Rom. 15:4.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," vol. 4, pp. 25-33,
and on Scripture references; "Christ's Object Lessons," chapter, "The Lord's
Vineyard;" Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 17.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 11-14.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read further from Study
Monday: Questions 4, 5; begin read-
Helps.
❑
ing Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Tuesday: Questions 6-10.
❑
[ 3 ]
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. God's Original Purpose for Israel
1.
Israel's history recorded for our
learning. Rom. 15:4.
2.
The purpose stated. Ex. 19:5, 6.
3.
Extent of failure. 2 Kings 17:7-12,
14-19; Isa. 1:1-4.
II. The Captivity a Last Resort
4.
God's reluctance to give up His
people. Hosea 11:8; Ezek. 33:11.
5.
God's thoughts of peace. Jer. 29:
11-13.
III. Purpose of Captivity for Israel
6.
Correction and punishment. Jer.
30:11.
7.
Repentance. Jer. 31:18, 19.
8.
Consuming of sin. Ezek. 22:15.
9.
Vindication of true prophets. Ezek.
33:33; Deut. 18:21, 22.
10.
New heart. Ezek. 36:24-31.
IV. Purpose of Israel's Captivity for the
Nations
11.
A challenge to decide for God. Jer.
12 :14-17.
12.
Captives spread knowledge of true
God. Dan. 2:47; 3:28, 29; 6:25-27.
13.
God's name dishonored. Ezek. 36:
19, 20.
14.
God's name dishonored today.
James 2:7.
THE LESSON
their light became darkness. They walked
in the light of their own eyes instead of
following the leadings of God. The his-
tory of the children of Israel was written
for the benefit of those who live in the last
days, that they may avoid following their
example of unbelief
."-T estimonies,
vol. 4,
p. 43.
Introduction
In order fully to grasp the significance
of the times of Ezra and Nehemiah, it is
necessary to understand the historical back-
ground of those times. God called Israel to
be His representatives in the world, to
spread to all nations a true knowledge of
God. This purpose they failed to fulfill.
As a result they suffered the humiliation of
the captivity. However, God did not
abandon them in their exile. He had a mer-
ciful purpose in their affliction. He prom-
ised to bring them back to their own land
and to give them another opportunity.
The divine purpose is here presented. The
objectives of the captivity are examined
to ascertain how the exiles profited from
the discipline of the captivity and to what
extent they took advantage of their op-
portunities after their return to Palestine.
God's Original Purpose for Israel
1. For what purpose have the rec-
ords of Israel's history been preserved
for us? Rom. 15:4. Compare 1 Cor.
10:11.
NOTE.-"I
was pointed back to ancient
Israel. They had great light and exalted
privileges; yet they did not live up to the
light nor appreciate their advantages, and
2.
What was God's original pur-
pose for Israel? Ex. 19:5, 6.
NOTE.
-"Through
the Jewish nation it
was God's purpose to impart rich blessings
to all peoples. Through Israel the way was
to be prepared for the diffusion of His light
to the whole world. The nations of the
world, through following corrupt practices,
had lost the knowledge of God. Yet in His
mercy God did not blot them out of exist-
ence. He purposed to give them opportu-
nity for becoming acquainted with Him
through His church. He designed that the
principles revealed through His people
should be the means of restoring the moral
image of God in
man."-Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 286.
3.
How woefully short of fulfilling
the divine purpose did both Israel and
Judah fall? 2 Kings 17:7-12, 14-19;
Isa. 1:1-4.
[ 4 3
(_(1
LP
HISTORY OF
ISRAEL
-
17
The history of Is ad is to benefit Ch is fans today, so
that they may avoid the Israelites example of unbelief.
NOTE.—"But Israel did not fulfill God's
purpose. They forgot God and lost sight
of their high privilege as His representatives.
The blessings that they had received brought
no blessing to the world. All their advan-
tages were appropriated for their own
glorification. They robbed God of the
service He required of them, and they
robbed their fellow men of religious guid-
ance and a holy example. . .
"Is not the same thing repeated in this
generation? Many in our day are keeping
back that which the Lord has entrusted to
them for the salvation of a world unwarned,
unsaved."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 26.
The Captivity a Last Resort
4.
How did God feel toward giving
up His people? Hosea 11:8; Ezek.
33:11.
NOTE.—"Had Israel heeded the messages
of the prophets, they would have been
spared the humiliation that followed. It
was because they had persisted in turning
aside from His law that God was compelled
to let them go into captivity. 'My people
are destroyed for lack of knowledge,' was
His message to them through Hosea. 'Be-
cause thou hast rejected knowledge, I will
also reject thee: . . . seeing thou hast for-
gotten the law of thy
God.'"—Prophets
and Kings,
page 297.
5.
Despite the seeming severity of
the affliction, what was God's attitude
toward His people? Jer. 29:11-13.
NorE.—"God permits trials to assail His
people, that by their constancy and obedi-
ence they themselves may be spiritually en-
riched, and that their example may be a
source of strength to others. 'I know the
thoughts that I think toward you, saith the
Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.'
Jeremiah 29:11. The very trials that task
our faith most severely and make it seem
that God has forsaken us, are to lead us
closer to Christ, that we may lay all our
burdens at His feet and experience the peace
which He will give us in
exchange."—Pa-
triarchs and Prophets,
page 129.
Purpose of Captivity for Israel
6.
What was God's purpose
in the
captivity? Jer. 30:11.
NOTE.—"God had pleaded with Judah
not to provoke Him to anger, but they had
hearkened not. Finally sentence was pro-
nounced against them. They were to be led
away captive to Babylon. The Chaldeans
weie to be used as the instrument by which
God would chastise His disobedient people.
The sufferings of the men of Judah were to
be in proportion to the light they had had
and to the warnings they had despised and
rejected. Long had God delayed His judg-
ments, but now He would visit His dis-
pleasure upon them as a last effort to check
them in their evil
course."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 425.
7.
What spirit or attitude were Is-
rael's afflictions intended to produce?
Jer. 31:18, 19.
NoTE.—In the prophetic writings "Eph-
raim" frequently stands for the ten tribes
that after the secession in the time of Reho-
boam formed the northern kingdom of
Israel.
To smite upon the thigh was a token of
extreme grief or mourning. See Ezek. 21:12.
[5
7
8.
What were the fires of affliction
intended to consume? Ezek. 22:15.
NoTE.—"To sin, wherever found, 'our
God is a consuming fire.' Heb. 12:29. In
all who submit to His power the Spirit
of God will consume sin. But if men cling
to sin, they become identified with it. Then
the glory of God, which destroys sin, must
destroy
them."—The Desire of Ages,
Page
107.
9.
How would God's prophets be
vindicated in the crisis? Ezek. 33:33;
Deut. 18:21, 22.
10.
What was to be the spiritual ex-
perience of those who returned from
captivity? Ezek. 36:24-31.
NorE.—"Every time a soul is converted,
and learns to love God and keep His com-
mandments, the promise of God is fulfilled.
. The change in human hearts, the trans-
formation of human characters, is a miracle
that reveals an ever-living Saviour, working
to rescue souls. A consistent life in Christ
is a great miracle."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 407.
Purpose of Israel's Captivity for
the Nations
11.
What was God's design for the
nations holding His people captive?
Jer. 12:14-17.
NOTE.—"God brought the hand of the
oppressor upon His people and scattered
them as captives among the nations. In
affliction many of them repented of their
transgressions and sought the Lord. Scat-
tered throughout the countries of the hea-
then, they spread abroad the knowledge
of the true God. The principles of the
divine law came in conflict with the cus-
toms and practices of the nations. Idolaters
endeavored to crush out the true faith.
The Lord in His providence brought His
servants, Daniel, Nehemiah, Ezra, face to
face with kings and rulers, that these
idolaters might have an opportunity to
receive the light. Thus the work which
God had given His people to do in pros-
perity, in their own borders, but which had
been neglected through their unfaithfulness,
was done by them in captivity, under great
trial and embarrassment."—Testimonies, -
vol. 5, p. 455.
12.
As a result of witness borne by
the captives of Judah, how was God's
name extolled among the heathen?
Dan. 2:47; 3:28,
29;
6:25-27.
NOTE.—"Through the Hebrew captives
the Lord was made known to the heathen
in Babylon. This idolatrous nation was
given a knowledge of the kingdom the Lord
was to establish, and through His power
maintain against all the power and craft
of Satan. Daniel and his fellow companions,
Ezra and Nehemiah, and many others were
witnesses for God in their captivity. The
Lord scattered them among the kingdoms
of the earth that their light might shine
brightly amid the black darkness of hea-
thenism and idolatry."—Ellen G. White
supplement in
The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1169.
13.
What was one of the tragic ef-
fects of the captivity? Ezek. 36:19, 20.
NOTE.—"The Israelites had misrepre-
sented God among the nations. They were
not merely useless, but a decided hindrance.
To a great degree their religion was mis-
leading, and wrought ruin instead of
salvation."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
p. 215.
"Their [the Jewish nation's] covetousness
and greed caused them to be despised even
by the heathen. Thus the Gentile world
was given occasion to misinterpret the char-
acter of God and the laws of His kingdom."
—Prophets and Kings,
pages 20, 21.
14.
How may our failure to live up
to light that shines in our pathway
result in dishonor to God's name?
James 2:7. Compare Rom. 2:23, 24.
[6]
Lesson 2, for April 9, 1960
Deliverance From Captivity
MEMORY VERSE:
"Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his
soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance;
He will render unto her a recompense." Jer. 51:6.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 551-560; "The Seventh-day Advent-
ist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
.
Herald" of March 24.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 9-12.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read further from Study
Monday: Questions 4, 5; begin read-
Helps.
❑
ing Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 6-8.
❑
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Decree
1.
The issuance of the decree. Ezra 1:1.
2.
Prophecy concerning Cyrus. Isa.
44:28; 45:13.
3.
Stipulations of the decree. Ezra 1:3.
4.
Cyrus's recognition of divine com-
mand. Ezra 1:2.
5.
Command to those remaining in
Babylon. Ezra 1:4, 6.
II. Prophetic Background of the Decree
6.
Prophecy fulfilled. Jer. 25:11, 12;
29:10.
7.
Daniel's study of Jeremiah's proph-
ecy. Dan. 9:1, 2.
8.
Prayer for fulfillment. Dan. 9:
4-6, 20.
III. The Call to Come Out of Babylon
9.
Babylon's fall predicted. Isa. 21:9.
10.
God's call to His people. Jer. 51:
6, 8.
11.
Response to call. Ezra 1:5; 2:64, 65.
12.
The call out of spiritual Babylon.
Rev. 18:1-4.
Introduction
THE LESSON
of the work they had thus far in their
history neglected to accomplish.
When Cyrus granted permission to the
Jews to return to their homeland a number
responded, but many more chose to remain
in the land of captivity.
Among those who did return there was
only a halfhearted attempt to follow the
divine plan. The discipline of the captivity
had accomplished some good, but it had not
produced the thorough reformation that
God desired.
Nevertheless He wrought with His people.
This was a fresh opportunity to lay hold
The Decree
1. What was Cyrus, king of Persia,
stirred to do in the first year of his
reign? Ezra 1:1.
NOTE.-"The Persian Empire stretched
from the desert wastes of Iran in the east
to the coast of Asia Minor in the west, and
[7]
from the Armenian highlands in the north
to the border of Egypt in the south. Cyrus,
its founder, was a prudent and humane
monarch. In harmony with his policy of
appeasing nations subjugated by Babylon,
he resettled them in their old homes and
restored their places of worship. In accord
with this generous policy, the Jews were
allowed to return to their old homeland
and rebuild their temple. . . .
"When Cyrus took Babylon he became
acquainted with the aged Daniel, trusted
counselor of the great Nebuchadnezzar of
a former era, and learned to appreciate his
advice. Through Daniel, Cyrus must have
become acquainted with Isaiah's prophecies
concerning him and his appointed role in
behalf of God's people (Isa. 44:21 to 45:
13), and granted their restoration."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 320, 321.
2.
What remarkable prophecy con-
cerning Cyrus was given through Isa-
iah nearly 200 years previously? Isa.
44:28; 45:13.
NoTE.—"In the unexpected entry of the
army of the Persian conqueror into the
heart of the Babylonian capital by way
of the channel of the river whose waters
had been turned aside, and through the
inner gates that in careless security had
been left open and unprotected, the Jews
had abundant evidence of the literal ful-
fillment of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the
sudden overthrow of their oppressors. And
this should have been to them an unmis-
takable sign that God was shaping the
affairs of nations in their
behalf."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 552.
3.
What privilege did the decree
grant? Ezra 1:3.
4.
Who did Cyrus say instructed
him to build a house for the Lord?
Ezra 1:2.
NOTE.—"The deliverance of Daniel from
the den of lions had been used of God to
create a favorable impresssion upon the
mind of Cyrus the Great. The sterling
qualities of the man of God as a statesman
of far-seeing ability led the Persian ruler
to show him marked respect and to honor
his judgment. And now, just at the time
God had said He would cause His temple
at Jerusalem to be rebuilt, He moved upon
Cyrus as His agent to discern the prophe-
cies concerning himself, with which Daniel
was so familiar, and to grant the Jewish
people their
liberty."—Prophets and Kings,
page 557.
5.
What were the Jews who re-
mained in Babylon required to do for
those who returned to Jerusalem?
Ezra 1:4, 6.
Prophetic Background of the Decree
6.
What prophecies of Jeremiah
were fulfilled by the issuance of Cy-
rus's decree? Jer. 25:11, 12; 29:10.
NOTE.—"Since the Babylonian captivity
had begun in 605 s.c. (see on Dan. 1:1),
the 70 years of Jeremiah's prophecies were
due to expire in 536, according to inclusive
reckoning (see Vol. II, p. 136). Therefore
if the decree of Cyrus was issued in the
summer or autumn of 537, and the Jews
probably returned to their homeland in
the spring of the following year, 536, this
would fulfill the prophecies of Jeremiah."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ezra 1:1.
7.
Shortly before the issuance of
the decree, who was studying Jere-
miah's prophecies? Dan. 9:1, 2.
NoTE.—"Often had Daniel and his com-
panions gone over these and similar prophe-
cies outlining God's purpose for His people."
—Prophets and Kings,
page 553.
"Still burdened in behalf of Israel, Daniel
studied anew the prophecies of Jeremiah.
They were very plain—so plain that he
understood by these testimonies recorded
in books 'the number of the years, where-
[ 8 ]
Lack of faith in God's promises caused many Jews
in Baby on to remain there instead of
eturning to Jerusalem.
of the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah
the prophet, that He would accomplish
seventy years in the desolations of Jeru-
salem.'
"—Ibid.,
p. 554.
8.
In view of the prospect of a
speedy fulfillment of God's promise,
how did Daniel seek to remove every
hindrance to a realization of the
promise? Dan. 9:4-6, 20.
NOTE.-"With
faith founded on the sure
word of prophecy, Daniel pleaded with the
Lord for the speedy fulfillment of these
promises. He pleaded for the honor of God
to be preserved. In his petition he identi-
fied himself fully with those who had fallen
short of the divine purpose, confessing their
sins as his
own."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 554, 555.
The Call to Come Out of Babylon
9.
What prediction concerning
Babylon's fall had Isaiah made? Isa.
21:9.
10.
What message had Jeremiah di-
rected to God's people in view of the
ultimate fall of Babylon? Jer. 51:6, 8.
11.
How many responded to the de-
cree? Ezra 1:5; 2:64, 65.
NoTE.—"Only a comparative minority of
the exiles returned. Even many of the
clans of Judah and Benjamin chose to re-
main in the land of their adoption. Many
had come to honor and wealth in Baby-
lonia, as cuneiform records reveal, and were
unwilling to forsake all they had acquired
by hard labor through the years in ex-
change for an uncertain future in desolate
Judea."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Ezra 1:5.
"Under the favor shown them by Cyrus,
nearly fifty thousand of the children of
the captivity had taken advantage of the
decree permitting their return. These, how-
ever, in comparison with the hundreds of
thousands scattered throughout the prov-
inces of Medo-Persia, were but a mere
remnant. The great majority of the
Israelites had chosen to remain in the land
of their exile rather than undergo the hard-
ships of the return journey and the re-
establishment of their desolated cities and
homes." "It was those 'whose spirit God had
raised' who had returned under the decrees
of
Cyrus."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 598,
599.
12.
How does God apply His call
to come out of ancient Babylon to the
people in modern Babylon? Rev. 18:
1-4.
Notn.—"No longer have the hosts of evil
power to keep the church captive; for
`Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city,'
which hath 'made all nations drink of the
wine of the wrath of her fornication;' and
to spiritual Israel is given the message,
`Come out of her, My people, that ye be
not partakers of her sins, and that ye re-
ceive not of her plagues.' (Revelation 14:
8; 18:4.) As the captive exiles heeded the
message, Flee out of the midst of Babylon,'
(Jeremiah 51:6) and were restored to the
Land of Promise, so those who fear God to-
day are heeding the message to withdraw
from spiritual Babylon, and soon they are
to stand as trophies of divine grace in the
earth made new, the heavenly Canaan."—
Prophets and Kings,
page
715.
[9]
Lesson 3, for April 16, 1960
The Sacrificial System Restored
MEMORY VERSE:
"And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks
unto the Lord; because He is good, for His mercy endureth forever toward
Israel." Ezra 3:11, first part.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 560-566; "The Seventh-day Advent-
ist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of March 31.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1, 2.
❑
Thursday: Read further from Study
Monday: Questions 3-7.
❑
Helps.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8, 9; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Arrival at Jerusalem
1.
Civil and religious leaders named.
Ezra 3:2, first part; Haggai 1:14.
2.
Thanksgiving service. Ezra 2:68, 69.
II. Offerings and Feasts Reinstated
3.
Gathering at Jerusalem. Ezra 3:1.
4.
Altar built. Ezra 3:2, second part.
5.
Daily sacrifices offered. Ezra 3:3.
6.
Feast of Tabernacles observed. Ezra
3:4.
7. Daily sacrifices continued. Ezra 3:
5, 6.
III. Foundation of Temple Laid
8. Preparations for rebuilding. Ezra
3:7-9.
9. Foundation laid. Ezra 3:10, 11,
first part.
IV. Mixed Reactions
10. People's response to laying of foun-
dation. Ezra 3:11, last part.
11. Response of those who had seen
first house. Ezra 3:12.
12. Confusion of mixed reactions. Ezra
3:13.
13. Day of small things. Zech. 4:10.
THE LESSON
Introduction
The long journey of some 1,000 miles
from Babylon to Jerusalem was accom-
plished in safety. "The time of departure
was probably the spring of 536 B.c., . . .
and perhaps Jerusalem was reached in the
summer of the same year. Eighty years
later it took Ezra and his caravan almost
four months to reach Jerusalem (ch. 7:8, 9;
8:31), and it is reasonable to think that
Zerubbabel's journey lasted as long as that
of Ezra."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Ezra 2:68.
With courage the returned exiles set about
to establish themselves in their new home.
When the seventh month (about October)
drew near they assembled at Jerusalem.
10
Arrival at Jerusalem
1.
Who were the civil and religious
leaders of the returned exiles? Ezra
3:2, first part; Haggai 1:14.
NoTE.—"Haggai
(ch. 1:1) speaks of Ze-
rubbabel, a grandson of King Jehoiachin, as
governor of Judah. Cyrus thus appointed
the descendant of a former king of Judah
to rule in the name of the Persian king, a
choice with which Cyrus could expect the
Jews to be pleased. They would naturally
accord more willing service to one of their
own princes than to a foreigner.
"Jeshua . . .
is the Aramaic form of the
Hebrew name usually translated 'Joshua.'
This Jeshua was the spiritual leader of the
returning exiles. . . . He was a direct de-
scendant of Aaron, through his father Joza-
dak, high priest at the time of Nebuchad-
nezzar's captivity (1 Chron. 6:3-15; Ezra
3:2). Jeshua was probably born in exile,
since he lived to see the completion of the
temple 20 years after the return to Jeru-
salem.
"Thus, two men of the old Jewish no-
bility led out in the restoration of Judah,
one a descendant of the former reigning
house as the appointed political leader, and
the other a son of the last precaptivity
high priest as spiritual head."—The
Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
Ezra 2:2.
2.
After their arrival at Jerusalem,
what did some of the chiefs of the
fathers first do? Ezra 2:68, 69.
NOTE.—"Arriving at the site of the for-
mer temple, the members of the expedition
conducted a thanksgiving service in which
the heads of families and the people offered
gifts for the planned reconstruction of the
temple building to the sum of 61,000 drams
of gold (about $300,000) and 5,000 silver
minas (about $52,950). This was certainly
a remarkable sum for a group of people
who had but recently regained liberty. A
spirit of liberality must have taken hold
of them like that which gripped the people
at the building of the tabernacle at Sinai
(see Ex. 36:5-7). They knew how God
had fulfilled His promises through the
prophets, and were willing to make a sacri-
fice to re-establish the temple and its
service.
"God has ever provided His people with
opportunities to give of the means entrusted
to them. There is no better cure for the
spirit of selfishness that naturally infects
the human heart than to respond 'freely'
to calls to advance the cause of God in the
earth and to help their fellow men. Those
who truly love God will cultivate the spirit
of liberality (see 2 Cor. 9:6,
7)."—The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
Ezra 2:68.
Offerings and Feasts Reinstated
3.
What did the children of Israel
do when the seventh month drew
near? Ezra 3:1.
NOTE.—"Shortly after their arrival in
Palestine, probably in the summer of 536
B.C., the newly returned exiles assembled
at Jerusalem to inaugurate the new temple
service. This gathering took place at the
end of the sixth month, as a comparison
of v. 1 with v. 6 shows. The 7th month
(Tishri) was one of the most sacred months
of the entire Jewish religious year. The
first day of that month was New Year's
Day of the civil calendar (see Vol. II, p.
110). The month began with a blowing
of trumpets and a holy convocation (Lev.
23:24; see Vol. II, p. 106). Ten days later
came the solemn Day of Atonement (Lev.
23:27), followed almost immediately by
the Feast of Tabernacles, from the 15th
to the 22nd day of the same month (Lev.
23:34-36)."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Ezra 3:1.
4.
What was the first step in the
re-establishment of the sacrificial ser-
vice? Ezra 3:2, second part.
5.
What type of offerings were the
first to be presented? Ezra 3:3. Com-
pare Ex. 29:38-42.
NoTE.—One of the most important serv-
ices of the ancient tabernacle and temple
ritual was the daily burnt offering. "Every
Criticism and complaining delayed the divine plan
of completing the Lord's house.
morning and evening a lamb of a year old
was burned upon the altar, with its ap-
propriate meat offering, thus symbolizing
the daily consecration of the nation to
Jehovah, and their constant dependence
upon the atoning blood of
Christ."—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 352.
6.
What feast did they observe?
Ezra 3:4. Compare Lev. 23:34-36.
NOTE.—"In the seventh month came the
Feast of Tabernacles, or of ingathering.
This feast acknowledged God's bounty in
the products of the orchard, the olive
grove, and the vineyard. It was the crown-
ing festal gathering of the year. The land
had yielded its increase, the harvests had
been gathered into the granaries, the fruits,
the oil, and the wine had been stored, the
first fruits had been reserved, and now the
people came with their tributes of thanks-
giving to God, who had thus richly blessed
them. .
"Like the Passover, the Feast of Taber-
nacles was commemorative. In memory of
their pilgrim life in the wilderness the peo-
ple were now to leave their houses, and
dwell in booths, or arbors, formed from
the green branches."—Patriarchs
and
Prophets,
page 540.
7.
What sacrifices were continued?
Ezra 3:5, 6.
I\TorE.—"The setting up of the altar of
daily burnt offerings greatly cheered the
faithful remnant. Heartily they entered
into the preparations necessary for the re-
building of the temple, gathering courage
as these preparations advanced from month
to
month."—Prophets and Kings,
page 560.
Foundation of Temple Laid
8.
What steps were taken to start
the work of rebuilding the temple?
Ezra 3:7-9.
Noix.—"The workmen engaged in the
preparation of the building material, found
among the ruins some of the immense
stones brought to the temple site in the
days of Solomon. These were made ready
for use, and much new material was pro-
vided; and soon the work was advanced to
the point where the foundation stone must
be
laid."—Prophets and Kings,
page 563.
9.
What ceremony accompanied
the laying of the foundation of the
temple? Ezra 3:10, 11, first part.
Mixed Reactions
10.
How did the people respond?
Ezra 3:11, last part.
NOTE.—"This praise and thanksgiving,
we have no need to say, was entirely ap-
propriate. The house upon which their
eyes rested was of sufficient consequence
for the Lord to send His word again and
again to encourage the builders. The
Lord gives His servants words to speak;
and this gratitude all should have . . . ex-
pressed when they saw that the foundation
of the house . . . was laid."—Ellen G.
White supplement in
The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p.
1133.
11.
What mixed reaction came
from among those who had seen the
first house? Ezra 3:12.
[ 12 ]
NOTE.—"But there came another diffi-
culty. Lamentation and weeping and
mourning were heard because the temple was
not outwardly so glorious as the first. There
were those who used their conversational
powers to talk of the inferiority of the
building to the one built by Solomon.
Mingled with music and singing, with re-
joicing and praise to God, was an in-
harmonious sound, not of joy or praise
or thanksgiving, but of dissatisfaction."—
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
vol. 3, p. 1134.
"It was natural that sadness should fill
the hearts of these aged men, as they
thought of the results of long-continued
impenitence. Had they and their genera-
tion obeyed God, and carried out His
purpose for Israel, the temple built by
Solomon would not have been destroyed
and the captivity would not have been
necessary. . . .
"God had moved upon the heart of Cyrus
to aid them in rebuilding the temple, and
this should have called forth expressions of
profound gratitude. But some failed of
discerning God's opening providences. In-
stead of rejoicing, they cherished thoughts
of discontent and discouragement."—Proph-
ets
and Kings,
page 564.
12. What confusion resulted from
this demonstration? Ezra 3:13.
NOTE.—"The murmuring and complain-
ing, and the unfavorable comparisons made,
had a depressing influence on the minds of
many and weakened the hands of the build-
ers. The workmen were led to question
whether they should proceed with the erec-
tion of a building that at the beginning was
so freely criticized and was the cause of
so much lamentation.
"Could those who failed to rejoice at the
laying of the foundation stone of the temple
have foreseen the results of their lack of
faith on that day, they would have been
appalled. Little did they realize the weight
of their words of disapproval and disap-
pointment; little did they know how much
their expressed dissatisfaction would delay
the completion of the Lord's house."—
Prophets and Kings,
pages 564, 565.
13. What should the worker for
God not despise? Zech. 4:10.
NoTE.—"The way of the world is to be-
gin with pomp and boasting. God's way
is to make the day of small things the be-
ginning of the glorious triumph of truth
and righteousness."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 595.
Lesson 4, for April 23, 1960
The Rebuilding Hindered
MEMORY VERSE:
"Thus saith the Lord
of
hosts; Consider your ways." Haggai 1:7.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 567-574; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of April 7.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-7.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-10; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read
further from Study Helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
[
13]
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Request of the Samaritans
1.
The request presented. Ezra 4:1,
2, first part.
2.
The Samaritans identified. Ezra 4:
2, last part; 2 Kings 17:24-29.
3.
The request denied. Ezra 4:3.
II. The Rebuilding Halted
4.
The work hindered. Ezra 4:4-6.
5.
The letter to Artaxerxes. Ezra 4:
7-16.
6.
The king's reply. Ezra 4:17-22.
7. The work brought to a standstill.
Ezra 4:23, 24.
III. Encouragement Through Prophets
8.
Haggai and Zechariah sent. Ezra
5:1; Haggai 1:1; Zech. 1:1.
9.
The Jews' false conclusion. Haggai
1:2.
10.
God's house neglected. Haggai 1:
3, 4.
11.
Impoverishment because of neglect.
Haggai 1:6.
12.
God's appeal. Haggai 1:5,
7.
13.
Purpose of afflictions. Haggai 1:8-11.
THE LESSON
NOTE.-"Only
a remnant had chosen to
return from Babylon; and now, as they
undertake a work seemingly beyond their
strength, their nearest neighbors come with
an offer of help. The Samaritans refer to
their worship of the true God, and express
a desire to share the privileges and bless-
ings connected with the temple service. 'We
seek your God, as ye do,' they declared.
`Let us build with
you.' "-Prophets and
Kings,
page 568.
Introduction
The laying of the foundation of the
temple aroused the determined opposition
of the enemy. "All during the reigns of
Cyrus and his successor, Cambyses, the
enemies of the Jews endeavored to secure
a royal edict to stop this work (Ezra 4:5).
However, the Lord interposed in behalf of
His people (see on Dan. 10:12, 13), and
prevented these enemies from succeeding.
The way thus remained open for the re-
turned exiles to press forward in the re-
construction of the house of the Lord.
"However, after such a promising start,
work on the second temple gradually slowed
down until it virtually ceased, owing mainly
to the continued opposition and hindrance
of the Samaritans (see Ezra 4:1-5). The
discouraged exiles turned to working their
own plots of land and to erecting living
quarters for themselves. Little did those
who mourned when the foundation of the
second temple was laid (see on Ezra 3:12),
realize how far their example would go in
bringing discouragement to all who were
endeavoring to restore the house of God."
-The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
vol. 4, p. 1073.
The Request of the Samaritans
1. When
the adversaries of the Jews
heard that the temple was being re-
built, what request did they make?
Ezra 4:1, 2, first part.
2.
Who were these adversaries?
Ezra 4:2, last part; 2 Kings 17:24-29.
NoTE.-"Close by the Israelites who had
set themselves to the task of rebuilding
the temple, dwelt the Samaritans, a mixed
race that had sprung up through the in-
termarriage of heathen colonists from the
provinces of Assyria with the remnant of
the ten tribes which had been left in
Samaria and Galilee. In later years the
Samaritans claimed to worship the true
God, but in heart and practice they were
idolaters. It is true, they held that their
idols were but to remind them of the
living God, the Ruler of the universe;
nevertheless the people were prone to
reverence graven
images."-Prophets and
Kings,
page 567.
3.
How did the Jews respond to the
request of the Samaritans? Ezra 4:3.
[
14
]
NOTE.—" 'Thou shalt make no covenant
with them,' God had said; and those who
had recently rededicated themselves to the
Lord at the altar set up before the ruins
of His temple, realized that the line of
demarcation between His people and the
world is ever to be kept unmistakably dis-
tinct. They refused to enter into alliance
with those who, though familiar with the
requirements of God's law, would not yield
to its claims.
"The principles set forth in Deuteronomy
for the instruction of Israel are to be fol-
lowed by God's people to the end of time.
True prosperity is dependent on the con-
tinuance of our covenant relationship with
God. Never can we afford to compromise
principle by entering into alliance with
those who do not fear
Him."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 570.
The Rebuilding Halted
4.
When refused participation in
the rebuilding, what did these ad-
versaries do? Ezra 4:4-6.
5.
What were the contents of a let-
ter they wrote to King Artaxerxes?
Ezra 4:7-16.
6.
What was the king's reply?
Ezra 4:17-22.
7.
When the adversaries of the
Jews received the king's letter, what
did they do? What was the effect up-
on the building program? Ezra 4:
23, 24.
NOTE.—"The opposition of their enemies
was strong and determined, and gradually
the builders lost heart. Some could not for-
get the scene at the laying of the corner-
stone, when many had given expression to
their lack of confidence in the enterprise.
And as the Samaritans grew more bold,
many of the Jews questioned whether, after
all, the time had come to rebuild. The feel-
ing soon became widespread. Many of the
workmen, discouraged and disheartened,
returned to their homes to take up the or-
dinary pursuits of
life."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 572.
Encouragement Through Prophets
8.
In the second year of Darius,
what prophets did the Lord raise up
to encourage the builders? Ezra 5:1;
Haggai 1:1; Zech. 1:1.
NoTE.—"But even this dark hour was
not without hope for those whose trust
was in God. The prophets Haggai and
Zechariah were raised up to meet the
crisis. In stirring testimonies these ap-
pointed messengers revealed to the people
the cause of their troubles. The lack of
temporal prosperity was the result of a
neglect to put God's interests first, the
prophets declared. Had the Israelites hon-
ored God, had they shown Him due re-
spect and courtesy, by making the building
of His house their first work, they would
have invited His presence and blessing."—
Prophets and Kings,
pages 573, 574.
9.
Because of continued opposition,
to what conclusion had the people
come? Haggai 1:2.
NOTE.—"The expression, 'This people
say,' is significant. In the hour of their
opportunity, the Israelites had not shown
themselves willing. Prompt obedience is
expected of those whom the Lord chooses
and leads. Pleas for delay are a dishonor
to God. And yet those who choose to fol-
low their own way, often frame ingenious
excuses in self-justification. Thus the
Israelites declared that they had begun to
rebuild, but that they were broken off in
their work because of the hindrances de-
vised by their enemies. These hindrances
they reasoned were an indication that it
was not the proper time to rebuild. They
declared that the Lord had interposed diffi-
culties to reprove their hot haste. This is
[ 15 ]
why, in a communication through His
prophet, He referred to them not as 'My
people,' but as 'this people.'"—Ellen G.
White supplement in
The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1175.
10.
Instead of building the Lord's
house, what had the people been do-
ing? Haggai 1:3, 4.
NoTE.—"The Israelites had no real excuse
for leaving their work on the temple. The
time when the most serious objections were
raised, was the time for them to persevere
in building. • .
"This history will be repeated. There will
be religious failures because men do not
have faith. When they look at the things
that are seen, impossibilities appear; but
God can lead them step by step in the
course He desires them to take. His work
will advance only as His servants move
forward by faith. While they may be called
upon to pass through trying times, yet they
should ever remember that they are con-
tending with a weakened, beaten foe. God's
people will finally triumph over every
power of darkness."—Ellen G. White sup-
plement in
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1175.
11.
Because of their neglect of the
Lord's house, what experience had the
Lord permitted to come to them?
Haggai 1:6.
NOTE.—"The house where God is wor-
shiped should be in accordance with His
character and majesty. There are small
churches that ever will be small because
they place their own interests above the
interests of God's cause. While they have
large, convenient houses for themselves,
and are constantly improving their prem-
ises, they are content to have a most un-
suitable place for the worship of God, where
His holy presence is to
dwell."—Testi-
monies, vol. 5,
pp. 268, 269.
12.
In view of the situation, what
pointed appeal did the Lord make to
His people? Haggai 1:5, 7.
Discouragement can stop the progress of Gods work
today as it stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.
NOTE.—"Too often we are prone to make
`all these [material] things' the main object
of our search in life, in the vain hope that
God will be indulgent with us, and, at the
close of life's journey, add to our brief
span of threescore and ten years the eternal
kingdom."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Matt. 6:33.
13.
Through what means had the
Lord sought to arouse the people to
a sense of their responsibility? Hag-
gai 1:8-11.
NOTE.—"There are many who urge that
they cannot do more for God's cause than
they now do ; but they do not give ac-
cording to their ability. The Lord some-
times opens the eyes blinded by selfishness
by simply reducing their income to the
amount they are willing to give. Horses
are found dead in the field or stable, houses
or barns are destroyed by fire, or crops fail.
In many cases God tests man with bless-
ings, and if unfaithfulness is manifested in
rendering to Him tithes and offerings, His
blessing is withdrawn. 'He which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly.' By the
mercies of Christ and the riches of His
goodness, and for the honor of truth and
religion, we beseech you who are follow-
ers of Christ to dedicate yourselves and
your property anew to
God."—Testimonies,
vol.
4, p. 484.
[16]
Lesson 5, for April 30, 1960
Rebuilding Resumed
MEMORY VERSE:
"Be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work:
for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:4.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 575-578; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of April 14.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-4.
❑
Monday: Questions 5-7; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
0
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read
further from Study Helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading Study
Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Work Started Again
1.
The Lord's command heeded. Hag-
gai 1:12; Ezra 5:1, 2.
2.
Divine promise to rebuilders. Hag-
gai 1:13.
3.
The Lord's promise today. Matt.
28:20.
4, Spirit of leaders stirred. Haggai 1:
14, 15.
II. Comparisons With Former House
5. Glory of new house inferior. Hag-
gai 2:1-3.
6.
Encouragement despite inferiority.
Haggai 2:4, 5.
7.
Messiah to come to new temple.
Haggai 2:6-9.
111.
Correction and Reproof
8.
Holiness not transmitted. Haggai
2:11, 12; Ezek. 14:20.
9.
Nation unclean. Haggai 2:13, 14.
10.
Attempts to arouse nation. Hag-
gai 2:15-17.
IV. Assurance of Blessing
11.
Blessing promised. Haggai 2:18, 19.
12.
Glorious prospect. Haggai 2:20-22.
13.
Promise to Christians. Haggai 2:23.
THE LESSON
be considered the measure of a prophet's
success. The noble example of leaders and
people is eminently worthy of emulation
today.
"It was the spirit of hearty co-operation
that led, within a remarkably short time, to
the completion of the Lord's house. The
same spirit will, in our day, lead to the
completion of the spiritual house of God
and to the establishment of His eternal
kingdom (1 Peter 2:5; cf. Matt. 24:14).
Had the spirit manifested by the Jews in
Haggai's day continued, the glorious prom-
[17]
Introduction
"In
its entirety, the message of Haggai
met with a more prompt and eager re-
sponse on the part of both leaders and
people than that of any other prophet. In
contrast, that of Jeremiah was utterly and
openly repudiated. Most of the prophets,
in fact, encountered opposition ranging all
the way from apathy through contempt to
persecution. But Haggai stands forth as
the most successful of the prophets, if im-
mediate compliance with his message may
4
/
#
Christians are God's jewels. They shine for Him
with the light of His love.
ises made to the fathers by the prophets
would soon have met their fulfillment and
Messiah would have come (PK 703, 704)
and died and begun His eternal reign (see
Vol. IV, pp. 27-32). Haggai's message to
the church today is not only one of warn-
ing and admonition but also one of great
encouragement."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary, vol.
4, p. 1074.
The Work Started Again
1.
How did the people respond to
Haggai's appeal to build the house of
God? Haggai 1:12; Ezra 5:1, 2.
NoTE.—"With fields lying waste, with
their scant store of provisions rapidly fail-
ing, and surrounded as they were by un-
friendly peoples, the Israelites nevertheless
moved forward by faith in response to
the call of God's messengers, and labored
diligently to restore the ruined temple. It
was a work requiring firm reliance upon
God. As the people endeavored to do their
part, and sought for a renewal of God's
grace in heart and life, message after mes-
sage was given them through Haggai and
Zechariah, with assurances that their faith
would be richly rewarded and that the
word of God concerning the future glory
of the temple whose walls they were rear-
ing would not
fail."—Prophets and Kings,
page 577.
2.
As soon as the people responded,
what comforting message did the Lord
send them? Haggai 1:13.
NcrrE.—"It was after Haggai's second
message that the people felt that the Lord
was in earnest with them. They dared not
disregard the repeated warning that their
prosperity and the blessing of God were
dependent upon their entire obedience to
the instructions given them. As soon as
they decided that they would do the words
of the Lord, His messages of reproof
changed to words of encouragement. 0
how merciful a God we have!"—Ellen G.
White supplement in
The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 4,
p.
1176.
3.
What similar message of en-
couragement is given to those who
labor in the gospel harvest?
Matt.
28:20.
NOTE.—"Christ did not tell His disciples
that their work would be easy. He showed
them the vast confederacy of evil arrayed
against them. They would have to fight
`against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places.' Ephesians 6:12. But they would
not be left to fight alone. He assured
them that He would be with them; and
that if they would go forth in faith, they
should move under the shield of Omnipo-
tence. He bade them be brave and strong;
for One mightier than angels would be in
their ranks—the General of the armies of
heaven."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 29.
4.
When the Lord stirred the hearts
of the leaders and people, what was
the result? Haggai 1:14, 15.
Comparisons With Former House
5.
How did the temple then being
built compare with Solomon's temple?
Haggai 2:1-3.
[181
6.
What message of encouragement
was given the leaders and people?
What would be the basis of their
strength? Haggai 2:4, 5.
7.
What did Haggai predict con-
cerning the house then under con-
struction? Haggai 2:6-9.
NOTE.—"As the people endeavored to do
their part, and sought for a renewal of
God's grace in heart and life, message
after message was given them through Hag-
gai and Zechariah, with assurances that
their faith would be richly rewarded and
that the word of God concerning the future
glory of the temple whose walls they were
rearing, would not fail. In this very build-
ing would appear, in the fullness of time,
the Desire of all nations as the Teacher and
Saviour of
mankind."—Prophets and Kings,
page 577.
"The second temple was not honored with
the cloud of Jehovah's glory, but with the
living presence of One in whom dwelt the
fullness of the Godhead bodily—who was
God Himself manifest in the flesh. The
`Desire of all nations' had indeed come to
His temple when the Man of Nazareth
taught and healed in the sacred courts."—
The Great Controversy,
page 24.
Correction and Reproof
8.
By what illustration from the
ancient Levitical code did Haggai
show that mere ritual forms cannot
impart holiness? Haggai 2:11, 12.
Compare Ezek. 14:20.
NoTE.—The lesson is clear. The offering
of sacrifices, such as were then offered on
the rebuilt altar, did not effect a cleans-
ing of the soul from sin. Only thorough
repentance and renewal by divine grace
could accomplish this. The people were
not to depend for holiness upon the ex-
ternal ceremonies of the ritual system.
9.
By what illustration did Haggai
show that the people were sinful?,
Haggai 2:13, 14.
NOTE.—"In order that the builders of the
second temple might make no mistakes, the
Lord, plainly instructed them, in the form
of a parable, regarding the nature of service
acceptable in His sight....
"A soul corrupted by sin is represented
by the figure of a dead body in a state of
putrefaction. All the washings and sprin-
klings enjoined in the ceremonial law were
lessons in parables, teaching the necessity
of a work of regeneration in the inward
heart for the purification of the soul dead
in trespasses and sins, and also the necessity
of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit."
—Ellen G. White supplement in
The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
vol.
4, p. 1176.
10.
How did the Lord seek to
arouse them to a sense of their true
condition? Haggai 2:15-17.
Assurance of Blessing
11.
Now that the people had laid
hold of the work of God, what did
the Lord promise to do? Haggai 2:
18, 19.
NoTE.—"The message of counsel and re-
proof given through Haggai was taken to
heart by the leaders and people of Israel.
They felt that God was in earnest with
them. They dared not disregard the re-
peated instruction sent them—that their
prosperity, both temporal and spiritual,
was dependent on faithful obedience to
God's commands."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 575.
12.
How would God deal with the
heathen nations that would oppose
His plan? Haggai 2:20-22.
Nom—The prophet envisioned most de-
termined opposition by surrounding nations
against the rebuilders. In part this was
fulfilled in the opposition of the Samaritans.
However, if the Jews had earnestly prose-
cuted the work of God their obedience
would have brought spiritual and temporal
I 19 l
prosperity. Then, should the nations of
earth band together to crush the thriving
state, God would have mightily intervened.
13. What promise made to Zerub-
babel may we apply also to our own
experience? Haggai 2:23.
NoTE.-"This personal word to Zerub-
babel has been left on record for the en-
couragement of God's children in every age.
God has a purpose in sending trial to His
children. He never leads them otherwise
than they would choose to be led if they
could see the end from the beginning, and
discern the glory of the purpose that they
are fulfilling."-Prophets
and Kings,
page
578.
"God will not suffer one of His true-
hearted workers to be left alone to struggle
against great odds and be overcome. He
preserves as a precious jewel everyone
whose life is hid with Christ in God. Of
every such an one He says,
'I . . .
will
make thee as a signet: for I have chosen
thee.' "-Ellen G. White supplement in
The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 4,
p. 1177.
Lesson 6, for May 7, 1960
Zechariah Encourages the Builders
MEMORY VERSE:
"The eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that
they could not cause them to cease." Ezra 5:5.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 578-581; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of April 21.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-6.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
❑
Check
Here
Wednesday: Questions 10-14.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading Study
Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Attempts to Hinder the Work
1.
The enemy investigates
the work.
III.
Ezra 5:3.
2.
Further questioning. Ezra 5:4.
3.
The work progresses despite
op-
position.
Ezra 5:5.
II. Zechariah's First
Vision
4.
The word of the Lord to Zechariah.
Zech. 1:7.
IV.
5.
The rider and the horses. Zech 1:8.
6.
Symbolism explained. Zech. 1:9, 10.
20
7.
Report of couriers. Zech. 1:11.
8.
God's displeasure at apathy of the
nation. Zech. 1:12-15.
9.
Promises concerning Jerusalem.
Zech. 1:16, 17.
Zechariah's Second Vision
10.
The four horns. Zech 1:18.
11.
The symbolism explained. Zech.
1:19.
12.
The four artisans. Zech. 1:20.
13.
Symbolism explained.. Zech. 1:21.
Final Victory Over Opposition
14.
Final victory assured. Matt. 16:18;
Rev. 19:19-21.
THE LESSON
Introduction
Sacred history reveals that during major
epochs and crises, or whenever a particular
need arose, God sent a prophet to bring
encouragement or rebuke to His people
and to tell them specifically what the divine
requirements were under the new circum-
stances that had arisen. Such a prophet
was Zechariah, who was sent to minister
to the discouraged builders of the temple.
Because many of Zechariah's messages
were given in the form of a symbol or
prophecy, some have regarded them as
being somewhat vague and obscure and
consequently have given them little atten-
tion.
However, an understanding of the his-
torical backg
round of the messages will
remove much of this obscurity. This back-
ground has been set forth in our Sabbath
school lessons thus far this quarter. Thus,
it is clear to whom Zechariah addressed
his messages, what their needs and problems
were, and what the Lord wished Zechariah
to accomplish.
Furthermore, many students of the Bible
make the mistake of trying to identify
every detail of a parable or symbolic
.
prophecy. Many of these features are
needed simply to round out the prophetic
narrative. In general, it is a safe rule to
attach interpretative significance only to
those features that are clearly declared to
have such by the divine interpreter of the
prophecy or by some other inspired writer.
It is important that the central teaching,
objective, or purpose of the prophecy or
parable be ascertained.
Attempts to Hinder the Work
1. While the work of rebuilding
the temple was in progress, what dele-
gation arrived to investigate the
work? What inquiry did they make?
Ezra 5:3.
NoTE.—"The reason for this visit seems
to have been another complaint made by
the enemies of the Jews. Tatnai, appar-
antly a conscientious Persian official, had
decided to make a personal investigation
before passing on the complaint. It is also
possible, however, that Tatnai came to Jeru-
salem, not as the result of a complaint con-
cerning the renewed building activities at
the site of the temple, but on a routine
tour of inspection, perhaps his first, fol-
lowing appointment to the office of deputy
satrap of 'Beyond the River.' Arriving in
Jerusalem and observing the building pro-
gram in progress, he demanded to know
the authority for it. It may seem strange
today that he asked for the 'command'
for rebuilding the temple rather than the
`permit,' but in the official language of the
times a 'permit' was a 'command.'
"—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Ezra 5:3.
2.
What further inquiry was made?
Ezra 5:4 (see Revised Standard Ver-
sion).
Nora.—The "we" should most probably
read "they," in harmony with the Septua-
gint, the pre-Christian translation of the
Old Testament into Greek, thus making
the latter part of the verse a request by
the delegation for the names of the builders.
3.
Despite these renewed attempts
to hinder the work, what did the el-
ders of the Jews do? Ezra 5:5.
NorE.—"The officers were answered so
wisely that they decided to write a letter
to Darius Hystaspes, then the ruler of
Medo-Persia, directing his attention to
the original decree made by Cyrus, which
commanded that the house of God at
Jerusalem be rebuilt, and that the expenses
for the same be paid from the king's
treasury."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 578.
"For months before this decree [Darius's]
was made, the Israelites had kept on work-
ing by faith, the prophets of God still
helping them by means of timely messages,
through which the divine purpose for Is-
rael was kept before the workers."—/bid.,
pp. 579, 580.
[21
]
Zechariah's First Vision
4.
Through whom did the Lord
send renewed messages of encourage-
ment? Zech. 1:7.
NOTE.—"Two months after Haggai's last
recorded message was delivered, Zechariah
had a series of visions regarding the work
of God in the earth. These messages, 'given
in the form of parables and symbols, came
at a time of great uncertainty and anxiety,
and were of peculiar significance to the
men who were advancing the name of the
God of Israel. It seemed to the leaders as
if the permission granted the Jews to re-
build was about to be withdrawn; the
future appeared very dark. God saw that
His people were in need of being sustained
and cheered by a revelation of His infinite
compassion and
love."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 580.
5.
In his first vision what did
Zechariah see? Zech. 1:8.
NozE.—"The first vision was designed to
give confidence in God's gracious purpose
to restore His people. It gave assurance
that the Gentile nations would be over-
thrown; and that despite the present state
of Israel, God's merciful purpose would be
carried out on condition the people do
their part."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Zech. 1:8.
6.
What were these horses and
riders declared to be? Zech 1:9, 10.
Nora.—"These couriers are represented as
giving a report to the great Ruler of the
universe concerning affairs on earth, par-
ticularly with respect to Israel as God's
chosen people suffering captivity and op-
pression at the hands of the heathen nations
round about. They have already ac-
complished their mission and are ready
to report."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Zech. 1:10.
7.
What report did the couriers
bring as to conditions in the earth?
Zech. 1:11.
As prophets encouraged Israel in building t e nation,
so the spirit of prophecy is the blueprint to
help build the remnant church for God.
NOTE.—"God's program seems to be
stalemated. The nations are doing nothing
to bring relief and help to the people of
God. It appears, in fact, that the per-
mission to rebuild is about to be recalled."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Zech. 1:11.
8.
What was God's attitude toward
the nations who did nothing to help
forward the work of rehabilitation,
but rather added to the affliction?
Zech 1:12-15.
NOTE.—"Although God had punished the
Israelites because of their sins, He had been
only 'a little displeased' and had planned
to limit the judgments. On the other hand,
the 'heathen,' going further than God in-
tended, essayed to put the Israelites per-
manently under subjection."—The
Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Zech.
1:15.
9.
What comforting promise was
made concerning Jerusalem and its
temple? Zech. 1:16, 17.
Non.—"Verses
16, 17
show God's gra-
cious designs for the remnant. The pre-
dictions were fulfilled in part. The temple
was rebuilt and Jerusalem restored. But
[22)
the prosperity here indicated was never
fully realized. The people failed to fulfill
the spiritual conditions upon which their
temporal prosperity was based. Neverthe-
less the opportunity was theirs. The vision
was designed to offer encouragement and
to present a strong inducement to them to
take advantage of their neglected privileges.
. . . God's plan for Israel, temporarily in-
terrupted by the captivity, was now to go
forward again, and Israel was to be re-
stored to the privileges and responsibilities
of the covenant relationship."—The
Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
Zech. 1:16.
Zechariah's Second Vision
10.
In his next vision, what did
Zechariah
see?
Zech. 1:18.
11.
What were these horns declared
to be? Zech. 1:19.
NOTE.—"The second vision (vs. 18-21;
in the Hebrew, ch. 2:1-4) shows the means
by which God planned to fulfill His pur-
pose. The horns are clearly defined as the
powers that had 'scattered Judah, Israel,
and Jerusalem' (v. 19; see PK 581). The
number 'four' may denote universality as
suggested by the four points of the com-
pass (see Dan. 8:8; 11:4) to which Israel
had been scattered."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Zech. 1:18.
12.
What was Zechariah next
shown? Zech. 1:20.
13.
What were these artisans de-
clared to be? Zech. 1:21.
Norz.—"Many conjectures have been
made as to the identity of these four arti-
sans. The number 'four' may denote simply
`the four corners of the earth' whither the
outcasts of Israel had been scattered (Isa.
11:12). The artisans represented 'the agen-
cies used by the Lord in restoring His
people and the house of His worship' (PK
581)."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Zech. 1:20.
Final Victory Over Opposition
14.
What assurance is given that
the enemy will not be able to prevail
in his opposition to the building of
the Christian church? Matt. 16:18;
Rev. 19:19-21.
Lesson 7, for May 14, 1960
Further Messages of Encouragement
MEMORY VERSE:
"Not by
might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord
of hosts." Zech. 4:6.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 582-592; "Testimonies," vol. 5, pp.
467-476; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture refer-
ences; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of April 28.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-7.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-10; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
❑
Check
Here
Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read
further from Study Helps.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading Study
Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
(283
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Third Vision
1.
The man with a measuring line.
Zech. 2:1.
2.
The mission of the man. Zech. 2:2.
3.
Symbolism explained. Zech. 2:3-5.
tl. Appeal to Flee From Babylon
4.
Appeal to those still in Babylon.
Zech 2:6, 7.
5.
God's love for His people. Zech.
2:8.
6.
Israel's enemies punished. Zech.
2:9.
7.
Israel's glorious future. Zech. 2:
10-13.
III. The Fourth Vision
8.
Joshua, the Angel, and Satan. Zech.
3:1.
9.
Satan rebuked. Zech. 3:2.
10.
Joshua's filthy ,garments. Zech. 3:
3; Isa. 64:6.
11.
Joshua's iniquity removed. Zech.
3:4, 5; Isa. 61:10.
12.
Blessing to follow obedience. Zech.
3:6, 7.
13.
Importance of robe. Matt. 22:
1-14.
THE LESSON
with the program of heaven. The man
with the measuring line is not identified,
nor is it necessary to the understanding
of the vision that he
be."-The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Zech.
2:1.
Introduction
This lesson presents more of Zechariah's
prophecies. The principles set forth in the
Introduction to Lesson 6 should be reviewed
and applied.
One more principle should be noted. It
is important to discover first what the
prophetic messages meant to the people
to whom they were addressed, before we
make an application of them to ourselves
or to our present time.
Note how this principle is set forth with
regard to the instruction in the Sermon on
the Mount. "Let us in imagination go back
to that scene, and, as we sit with the dis-
ciples on the mountainside, enter into the
thoughts and feelings that filled their hearts.
Understanding what the words of Jesus
meant to those who heard them, we may
discern in them a new vividness and beauty,
and may also gather for ourselves their
deeper
lessons."-Thoughts From the Mount
of Blessing,
page 1, (1943 ed., p. 10).
The Third Vision
1.
In his third vision, what did
Zechariah see? Zech. 2:1.
NoTE.-"The third vision shows the
triumph of God's plan. The glorious pros-
pect here presented would have been realized
by Israel if the people had fully cooperated
2.
What question did he raise, and
how was it answered? Zech. 2:2.
3.
What was the vision designed to
teach? Zech. 2:3-5.
NoTE.-"God had commanded that Jeru-
salem be rebuilt; the vision of the meas-
uring of the city was an assurance that He
would give comfort and strength to His
afflicted ones, and fulfill to them the prom-
ises of His everlasting covenant. His pro-
tecting care, He declared, would be like
`a wall of fire round about;' and through
them. His glory would be revealed to all
the sons of men. That which He was ac-
complishing for His people was to be known
in all the
earth."-Prophets and Kings,
page 581.
Appeal to Flee From Babylon
4.
What appeal was made to those
still in Babylon? Zech. 2:6, 7.
[24j
NOTE.—"How sad it is to contemplate
that this touching appeal met with so little
response! Had this entreaty to flee from
Babylon been heeded, how different might
have been the condition of the Jews in the
trying times of Mordecai and Esther!"—
Ellen G. White supplement in
The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1177.
5.
By what striking figure did the
Lord illustrate His loving solicitude
for His children? Zech. 2:8.
NOTE.—"Heaven is very near those who
suffer for righteousness' sake. Christ iden-
tifies His interests with the interests of His
faithful people; He suffers in the person
of His saints, and whoever touches His
chosen ones touches Him. The power
that is near to deliver from physical harm
or distress is also near to save from the
greater evil, making it possible for the
servant of God to maintain his integrity
under all circumstances, and to triumph
through divine
grace."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 545.
6.
What was to be the fate of
Israel's enemies? Zech. 2:9.
7.
What glorious future did God
plan for Israel? Zech. 2:10-13.
NOTE.—"The Lord's purposes for His
people have ever been the same. He desires
to bestow on the children of men the
riches of an eternal inheritance. His king-
dom is an everlasting kingdom. When those
who choose to become obedient subjects of
the Most High are finally saved in the
kingdom of glory, God's purpose for man-
kind will have been fulfilled."—Ellen G.
White supplement in
The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary, vol.
4, p. 1177.
The Fourth Vision
8.
In the scene next presented to
Zechariah, what was Satan doing?
Zech. 3:1.
How w II the church stand the test when
it is measured by God's standards?
NOTE.—"In the prophecy of Zechariah
is brought to view Satan's accusing work,
and the work of Christ in resisting the
adversary of His people. . . .
"The people of God are here represented
as a criminal on trial. Joshua, as high
priest, is seeking for a blessing for his
people, who are in great affliction. While
he is pleading before God, Satan is stand-
ing at his right hand as his adversary. He
is accusing the children of God, and making
their case appear as desperate as possible.
He presents before the Lord their evil-do-
ings and their defects. He shows their
faults and failures, hoping they will appear
of such a character in the eyes of Christ
that He will render them no help in their
great need. . . .
"The work of Satan as an accuser began
in heaven. This has been his work on
earth ever since man's fall, and it will be
his work in a special sense as we approach
nearer to the close of this world's history.
As he sees that his time is short, he will
work with greater earnestness to deceive
and
destroy."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 166-168.
9.
As the Lord rebuked Satan, what
did He declare Joshua to be? Zech.
3:2.
NorE.—"Then the Angel, who is Christ
Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to
silence the accuser of His people. .
Is-
L251
rael had long remained in the furnace of
affliction. Because of their sins they had
been well-nigh consumed in the flame
kindled by Satan and his agents for their
destruction, but God had now set His
hand to bring them forth. In their peni-
tence and humiliation the compassionate
Saviour will not leave His people to the
cruel power of the
heathen."—Testimonies,
vol.
5, p. 469.
10.
What did the condition of
Joshua's garments represent? Zech.
3:3; Isa. 64:6.
NOTE.—"In filthy garments, symbolizing
the sins of the people, which he [Joshua]
bears as their representative, he stands
before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet
pointing to their repentance and humilia-
tion, and relying upon the mercy of a sin-
pardoning Redeemer. In faith he claims
the promises of
God."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 583, 584.
11.
What command was given
concerning Joshua, and what did it
signify? Zech. 3:4, 5; Isa. 61:10.
NoTE.—His [Joshua's] own sins and
those of his people were pardoned. Israel
were clothed with 'change of raiment'—
the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.
The miter placed upon Joshua's head was
such as was worn by the priests and bore
the inscription, 'Holiness to the Lord,'
signifying that, notwithstanding his former
transgressions, he was now qualified to
minister before God in His sanctuary."—
Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 469.
12.
On what conditions were future
blessings based? Zech. 3:6, 7.
13.
How did Jesus emphasize the
importance of the robe of righteous-
ness? Matt. 22:1-14.
NOTE.-"All the hatred and malignity of
the archrebel is stirred as he beholds the
evidence of Christ's supremacy, and with
fiendish power and cunning he works to
wrest from Him the remnant of the children
of men who have accepted His salvation."
—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 470.
Lesson 8, for May 21, 1960
The Temple Completed
MEMORY VERSE:
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun
a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil.
1:6.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 593-597; "Testimonies to Ministers,"
pages 509-512; "Testimonies," vol. 6, pp. 11, 12, 459-462; "The Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,"
on
Scripture references; Lesson Help in
"Review
and Herald" of May 5.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey. 0
from Study helps.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-4. 0 Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
0
Monday: Questions 5, 6; begin read-
Thursday: Finish reading Study
ing from Study Helps.
0
Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; read further
Friday: Review entire lesson.
[26)
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Fifth Vision
1.
The candlestick. Zech. 4:1-3.
2.
The symbolism explained. Zech. 4:
4-6.
3.
Success promised. Zech. 4:7-10.
4.
The olive trees. Zech. 4:11-14.
II. The Sixth Vision
5. The flying roll. Zech. 5:1-4.
III. The Seventh Vision
6. The ephah and the woman. Zech.
5:5-11.
IV. The Eighth Vision
7.
The chariots. Zech. 6:1-3.
8.
The symbolism explained. Zech. 6:
4-7.
9.
God's will accomplished in the
north country. Zech. 6:8.
V. The Temple Completed
10.
The time. Ezra 6:14, 15.
11.
The celebration. Ezra 6:16, 17.
12.
The feasts. Ezra 6:18-22.
13.
Work of grace to be completed.
Phil. 1:6.
THE LESSON
of spiritual rehabilitation and the advance
of the gospel.
"To us is committed the arduous, but
happy, glorious work of revealing Christ
to those who are in darkness. We are called
to proclaim the special truths for this
time. For all this the outpouring of the
Spirit is essential. We should pray for it.
The Lord expects us to ask Him. . . .
"We cannot depend upon form or ex-
ternal machinery. What we need is the
quickening influence of the Holy Spirit of
God. 'Not by might, nor by power, but
by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.'
Pray without ceasing, and watch by work-
ing in accordance with your prayers. As
you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the
time of the latter rain, when the Lord will
give largely of
.
His Spirit. Be fervent in
prayer, and watch in the Spirit."-Testi-
monies to Ministers,
pages 511, 512. ,
3. How were the builders assured
of the successful completion of the
temple project? Zech. 4:7-10.
Introduction
The visions of Zechariah continued to
bring inspiration to the builders. They
promised success-not by the power of man,
but by the power of God. They warned
that God would thoroughly search out iniq-
uity and remove it from the people. At
the same time He would work on foreign
powers, securing their co-operation in the
project.
With God thus working for His people,
and the people co-operating with the divine
program, the temple was completed in a
remarkably short time.
The secret of success is still the same to-
day. Trust in God and co-operation with
Him bring success-neglect of these brings
failure.
The Fifth Vision
1.
What vision was Zechariah next
shown? Zech. 4:1-3.
2. What was the vision designed to
teach? Zech. 4:4-6.
NOTE.
-The
work of rehabilitation in
which Zerubabbel was engaged could be ac-
complished successfully only by the aid of
divine power. The same is true in the work
NOTE.
-"Throughout
the history of God's
people great mountains of difficulty, ap-
parently insurmountable, have loomed up
before those who were trying to carry out
the purposes of Heaven. Such obstacles
are permitted by the Lord as a test of
faith. When we are hedged about on every
side, this is the time above all others to
[27
]
In planning for advance in God's work, do we de-
pend on external machinery and financial gains
more than on the Holy'Spirit?
trust in God and in the power of His
Spirit."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 594,
595.
4.
What further explanation was
given of the symbolism of the vision?
Zech. 4:11-14.
Nom.—"From the two olive trees, the
golden oil was emptied through golden
pipes into the bowl of the candlestick and
thence into the golden lamps that gave light
to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones
that stand in God's presence, His Spirit is
imparted to human instrumentalities that
are consecrated to His service. The mis-
sion of the two anointed ones is to com-
municate light and power to God's people.
It is to receive blessing for us that they
stand in God's presence. As the olive
trees empty themselves into the golden
pipes, so the heavenly messengers seek to
communicate all that they receive from
God. The whole heavenly treasure awaits
our demand and reception; and as we
receive the blessing, we in our turn are to
impart it. Thus it is that the holy lamps
are fed, and the church becomes a light
bearer irahe
world."—Testimonies to Minis-
ters,
page 510.
The Sixth Vision
5.
By what symbolism was the
prophet shown how the Lord would
search out iniquity? Zech. 5:1-4.
NOTE.—It was necessary that the-- re
builders of the temple and of the new state
be cleansed from sin. Only thus could
Israel successfully fulfill her spiritual role
as the representatives of Jehovah. The
vision was a warning to those still clinging
to sin, that the curse would surely over-
take them. This passage is quoted in the
book
-Education
with -the following appli-
cation:
"Against every evildoer God's law ut-
ters condemnation. He may disregard that
voice, he may seek to drown its warning,
but in vain. It follows him. It makes it-
self heard. It destroys his peace. If: un-
heeded, it pursues him to the grave. It
bears witness against him at the judgment.
A quenchless fire, it consumes at last soul
and
body."—Education,
pages 144, 145.
The Seventh Vision
6.
How was the removal of sin
from Israel illustrated? Zech. 5:5-11.
NOTE.—An ephah is a dry measure of
about five gallons. However, shape or
form rather than capacity may here be
intended. The land of Shinar is Bablyon.
Though some of the details are not ex-
plained, the general teaching seems clear.
It was because of iniquity that the people
of Judah had been taken captive to Baby-
lon. God had designed that the captivity
should cure them of their backsliding, but
it was evident that the cure had not been
complete. Now in this figurative vision,
God tells them that their iniquities should
be removed to Babylon, where they should
have been left. But even now God was
willing to pardon their iniquities. A for-
saking of sin was absolutely necessary for
the success of the new program.
The Eighth Vision
7.
What did Zechariah next see?
Zech. 6:1-3.
$. What were the horses declared
to be, and what was their mission?
Zech. 6:4-7.
f28]
9.
What did those dispatched to
the north country accomplish? Zech.
6:8.
Nom.—Again, for an understanding of
the 'central objective of the vision it, is
not necessary that every detail_ of the pic-
ture be explained.
"The chariots 'which go _forth from
standing before the Lord of all the earth'
(Zech. 6:5) doubtless represent God's
agencies operating throughout the earth,
`silently, patiently working out the coun-
sels of His own will' (see Ed 173). The
delegation to the north country probably
symbolized the influence exerted upon the
rulers of the Persian realm to further the
work of God. It seemed at the time 'as if
the permission granted the Jews to rebuild
was about to be withdrawn' (PK 580).
The vision must have brought great en-
couragement to the disheartened builders,
for it gave them the assurance that the
mission to the north country would be
successful. 'These that go toward the north
country have quieted My Spirit in the north
country' (see on v. 8). Darius issued a new
decree shortly afterward, permitting the
work to go forward, encouraging the en-
terprise by public funds, and threatening
any who might oppose
it."—The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Zech.
6:6.
The Temple Completed
10.
Encouraged by the prophecies
of Haggai and Zechariah, what were
the elders of the Jews able to ac-
complish? Ezra 6:14, 15.
NOTE.—"The
rebuilding of the temple
from the time the foundation stone had
been laid a second time (Kislev 24, 2d
year ,of Darius) to its completion, had
therefore occupied about 4 years and 3
months, some 2 years and 3 months shorter
than it had taken Solomon to build his
temple. The reason for this difference
probably lies in the fact that Solomon had
first to prepare a flat surface on which to
erect the various buildings belonging to the
temple complex, a task of no small size.
Although the present substructures of the
temple area at Jerusalem date from Hero-
dian times or later, as far as they are
visible, they reveal the tremendous efforts
that must have been made by the early
builders to construct a foundation plat-
form on which the temple and its many
auxiliary buildings could be erected. When
the exiles returned they probably found
that- great parts of this substructure :were
still good enough to use without expensive,
time-consuming repair work: furthermore,
the buildings seem to haVe been less
-
elab-
orate and numerous than in Solomon's
time, and probably much less lavishly deco-
rated."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Ezra 6:15.
11.
How was the completion of
the temple celebrated? Ezra 6:16, 17'.
12.
Whai feasts were Obserired
the
following months? Ezra 6:18-22.
NOTE.—"A
number of particularly solemn
Passovers were celebrated in Jewish his-
tory, and these were accorded special at-
tention by the writers of the Bible. Such
are the Passover celebrated by Hezekiah
after his cleansing of the temple (2 Chron.
30), and that celebrated by Josiah after
the completion of his reform (2 Chron. 35).
Both of these Passovers accompanied a
revival of temple worship after a period of
apostasy. Ezra places in the same category
the Passover following the dedication of
the new temple. This does not mean that
the exiles had not celebrated the Passover
prior to the year 515 B.c., since Ezra 3:5
contains the information that they observed
`all the set feasts of the Lord' as soon as
they arrived in their homeland. However,
this first Passover after the completion of
the building of the new temple marked
the full re-establishment of the regular
ordinances of religion, more or less inter-
rupted from the time of the destruction
of the first temple."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Ezra 6:19.
13.
How will the Lord enable us
to bring to completion the work of
grace in our spiritual temples? Phil.
1:6.
129
7
Lesson 9, for May 28, 1960
The Ministry of Ezra
MEMORY VERSE: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:7.
STUDY HELPS: "Prophets and Kings," pages 607-627
;
"The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of May 12.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4, 5; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 6-8; read further
Check Here
from Study Helps.
Wednesday: Questions 9-14.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading Study
Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. The Journey to Jerusalem
1.
Introduction to Ezra. Ezra 7:1-6, 10.
2.
Members of party. Ezra 7:7.
3.
Artaxerxes' decree. Ezra 7:11-26.
4.
Prayer for protection. Ezra 8:21-23.
5, Protection granted. Ezra 8:31, 32;
7:9.
II. Departure From God
6.
The evil disclosed. Ezra 9:1-4.
7.
Prohibition against intermarriages.
Deut. 7:1-4.
8. Prohibition to Christian
church.
2
Cor. 6:14.
III. Repentance and Reformation
9.
Prayer of confession. Ezra 9:5-15.
10.
People's response. Ezra 10:1.
11.
Proposal of a covenant. Ezra 10:
2-5.
12.
The proclamation and response.
Ezra 10:6-9.
13.
The situation rectified. Ezra 10:
10-17.
14.
God's willingness to forgive the
penitent. Isa. 55:7; John 1:9.
THE LESSON
perienced repeated reverses in Greece,
Egypt, and elsewhere that disturbed the
internal peace and stability of the em-
pire. The next two kings, Xerxes and
Artaxerxes I, were weaklings, opportunists,
and unstable in character, and owed their
throne to the strong hand of powerful
counselors. Disastrous campaigns in Greece
and rebellions in Egypt and other parts of
the empire caused great unrest and led to
vacillating domestic and foreign policies.
"It was during a serious rebellion in
Egypt (462-454
B.c.)
that Ezra received
major concessions for the Jews whose
1
80
Introduction
Our lessons thus far have traced the
history of the postexilic Jews from the
decree of Cyrus in about 537 B.C. to, the
completion of the temple a little more than
twenty years later, in the sixth regnal
year of Darius, 515 s.c. Concerning events
of the next six decades, the sacred record
is silent. From secular records the follow-
ing picture emerges:
"An era of unrest began, however, when
late in his reign Darius decided to invade
Greece. From that time on the empire ex-
good will Artaxerxes needed in this cru-
cial period, since Judea lay athwart the
highway into Egypt."—The
Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.
3, p. 321.
An interval of about fifty-eight years
thus lies between chapters 6 and 7 of Ezra.
It is this period that is referred to in the
phrase, "Now after these things." Ezra
7:1.
The Journey to Jerusalem
1.
Who was Ezra, and what were
his qualifications? Ezra 7:1-6, 10.
NOTE.—"Born of the sons of Aaron, Ezra
had been given a priestly training; and in
addition to this he had acquired a familiar-
ity with the writings of the magicians, the
astrologers, and the wise men of the Medo-
Persian realm. But he was- not satisfied
with his spiritual condition. He longed to
be in full harmony with God; he longed
for wisdom to carry out the divine will.
And so he 'prepared his heart to seek the
law of the Lord, and do it.' Ezra 7:10.
This led him to apply himself diligently to
a study of the history of God's people, as
recorded in the writings of prophets and
kings. He searched the historical and
poetical books of the Bible to learn why
the Lord had permitted Jerusalem to be
destroyed and His people carried captive
into a heathen land.. .
"Ezra endeavored to gain a heart prep-
aration for the work he believed was be-
fore him. He sought God earnestly, that
he might be a wise teacher in Israel. As
he learned to yield mind and will to
divine control, there were brought into his
life the principles of true sanctification,
which, in later years, had a molding in-
fluence, not only upon the youth who
sought his instruction, but upon all others
associated with
him."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 608, 609.
2.
Who accompanied him to Jeru-
salem? Ezra 7:7.
NOTE.—"Ezra had expected that a large
number would return to Jerusalem, but the
number who responded to the call was
disappointingly small. Many who had
acquired houses and lands had no desire
to sacrifice these possessions. They loved
ease and comfort and were well satisfied
to remain. Their example proved a hin-
drance to others who otherwise might have
chosen to cast in their lot with those who
were advancing by
faith."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 612.
3.
What far-reaching decree did
Artaxerxes the Persian king issue?
Ezra 7:11-26.
N0TE.—"The angel had been sent to
Daniel for the express purpose of explain-
ing to him the point which he had failed to
understand in the vision of the eighth
chapter, the statement relative to time—
`Unto two thousand and three hundred
days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.'
. . . If the date of this commandment
could be found, then the starting point
for the great period of 2300 days would
be ascertained.
"In the seventh chapter of Ezra the de-
cree is found. Ezra 7:12-26. In its corn-
pletest form it was issued by Artaxerxes,
king of Persia, 457
B.c."—The Great Con-
troversy,
page 326.
4.
Upon whom did Ezra depend for
protection on his journey? Ezra 8:
21-23.
NOTE.—"Ezra was aware that enemies
lay in wait by the way, ready to plunder
and destroy him and his company; yet he
had asked from the king no armed force
for protection....
"In this matter, Ezra and his companions
saw an opportunity to magnify the name of
God before the heathen. Faith in the power
of the living God would be strengthened if
the Israelites themselves should now reveal
implicit faith in their divine Leaden"—
Prophets and Kings,
page 615.
5.
How did the Lord honor their
request? Ezra 8:31, 32; 7:9.
NoTE.—"About four months were occu-
pied on the journey, the multitude that ac-
companied Ezra, several thousand in all,
[ 31 ]
including women and children, necessitat-
ing slow progress. But all were preserved
in safety. Their enemies were restrained
from harming them. Their journey was a
prosperous one, and on the first day of
the fifth month, in the seventh year of
Artaxerxes, they reached Jerusalem."—
Prophets and Kings,
page 617.
Departure From God
6.
What evil did Ezra discover
among the Jews in Jerusalem, and
how did he react to this evil? Ezra
9:1-4.
NorE.—"Now when he learned that not-
withstanding the lessons of the past, men
of prominence had dared transgress the
laws given as a safeguard against apostasy,
his heart was stirred within him. He
thought of God's goodness in again giv-
ing His people a foothold in their native
land, and he was overwhelmed with right-
eous indignation and with grief at their in-
gratitude."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 620.
7.
What command had the Lord
given concerning intermarriages with
the heathen? Deut. 7:1-4.
NorE.—"God strictly forbade the inter-
marrying of His ancient people with other
nations. The plea is now offered that this
prohibition was made in order to prevent
the Hebrews from marrying idolaters, and
forming connections with heathen families.
But the heathen were in a more favorable
condition than are the impenitent in this
age, who, having the light of truth, yet
persistently refuse to accept it. The sinner
of today is far more guilty than the
heathen, because the light of the gospel
shines clearly all around him. He violates
conscience and is a deliberate enemy of
God."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 508.
8.
What prohibition is given the
Christian church? 2 Cor. 6:14.
NorE.—"There is no concord between
Christ and Belial. The two cannot har-
monize. To connect with an unbeliever is
Does the floodtide of worldliness 'threaten our
church and its soul-winning institutions?
to place yourself on Satan's ground. You
grieve the Spirit of God and forfeit His
protection. Can you afford to have such
terrible odds against you in fighting the
battle for everlasting
life?"—Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 364; 365.
" This [2 Corinthians 6:14, 151 means in
a special sense marriage with unbelievers,
but it covers more ground than this: it
means in our instrumentalities ordained
of God, in our institutions for health, in
our colleges, in our publishing houses."—
Testimonies to Ministers,
page 271.
Repentance and Reformation
9.
What prayer of confession did
Ezra offer? Ezra 9:5-15.
NOTE.—"Ezra had the true spirit of
prayer. Presenting his petition before God
for Israel, when they had sinned grievously
in the face of great light and privileges, he
exclaimed, 'I am ashamed and blush to lift
up my face to Thee, my God; for our iniq-
uities are increased over our head, and
our trespass is grown up unto the heavens!:
Ezra remembered the goodness of God in
again giving his people a foothold in their
native land, and he was overwhelmed with
indignation and grief at the thought .of
their ingratitude in return for the divine
favor. His language is that of true humilia--
tion of soul, the contrition that prevails,
with God in prayer. Only
:
the, prayer of
;
[32]
the humble enters into the ears of the Lord
of Sabaoth."—Ellen G. White supplement
in
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary, vol
3, p. 1135.
10.
What effect did this have on
the people? Ezra 10:1.
11.
What did one of the Jews sug-
gest, and how did Ezra respond?
Ezra 10:2-5.
12.
What proclamation was made
and how many responded? Ezra 10:
6-9.
NorE.—"Ezra's motives were high and
holy; in all that he did he was actuated
by a deep love for souls. The compassion
and tenderness that he revealed toward
those who had sinned, either willfully or
through ignorance, should be an object les-
son to all who seek to bring about reforms.
The servants of God are to be as firm as a
rock where right principles are involved;
and yet, withal, they are to manifest
sympathy and forbearance. Like Ezra, they
are to teach transgressors the way of life
by inculcating principles that are the foun-
dation of all rightdoing."—Prophets
and
Kings,
page 623.
13.
What response and reformation
followed? Ezra 10:10-17.
14.
How willing is the Lord to
hear the prayers of the penitent? Isa.
55:7; 1 John 1:9.
NOTE.—"Arise and go to your Father. He
will meet you a great way off. If you take
even one step toward Him in repentance,
He will hasten to enfold you in His arms
of infinite love. His ear is open to the
cry of the contrite soul. The very first
reaching out of the heart after God is
known to Him. Never a prayer is offered,
however faltering, never a tear is shed,
however secret, never a sincere desire after
God is cherished, however feeble, but the
Spirit of God goes forth to meet it. Even
before the prayer is uttered, or the yearn-
ing of the heart made known, grace from
Christ goes forth to meet the grace that is
working upon the human
soul."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 206.
Lesson 10, for June 4, 1960
Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls
MEMORY VERSE:
"And I sent messengers unto them, saying,
I
am doing a
great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst
I
leave it, and come down to you?" Neh. 6:3.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 628-645; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of May 19.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-5.
❑
Monday: Questions 6-9.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 10-14.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Read from Study
Helps.
❑
Thursday: Read further from Study
Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
[ 33 ]
Lesson Outline
II. Rebuilding of Walls Begun
Introduction
I.
Nehemiah Aroused
1. Introduction to Nehemiah. Neh. 1:
1, 11, last part; 2:1, first part.
2. Report from Jerusalem. Neh. 1:
2, 3.
3. Nehemiah's reaction to report. Neh.
1:4-11.
4. The king's inquiry. Neh. 2:1, last
part, 4.
5. Nehemiah's request. Neh. 2:5-8.
6.
Encouragement to build. Neh. 2:9,
11-18.
7.
Derision from adversaries. Neh. 2:
10, 19.
8.
Courageous reply. Neh. 2:20.
9.
Walls rebuilt. Neh. 3.
III. Active Opposition
10.
Proposed attack. Neh. 4:1-3, 7, 8, 11.
11.
Scheme foiled. Neh. 4:9, 13, 16-23.
12.
Further schemes. Neh. 6:1, 2, 4,
7, 10.
13.
Nehemiah's courage. Neh. 6:3, 8,
9, 11-14.
14.
Opposition today. Rev. 12:12, 17.
THE LESSON
selor. The recipient of royal favor, how-
ever, though surrounded by pomp and
splendor, did not forget his God nor his
people. With deepest interest his heart
turned toward Jerusalem; his hopes and
joys were bound up with her prosperity.
Through this man, prepared by his residence
in the Persian court for the work to which
he was to be called, God purposed to bring
blessing to His people in the land of their
fathers."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 628.
Introduction
Nehemiah came upon the scene of action
in 444 s.c., about thirteen years after Ezra's
journey to Jerusalem and nearly 100 years
after the first migration under Zerubbabel.
Because of great opposition, little prog-
ress had been made in the work of rebuild-
ing the walls. It appears, too, that in an
attack by the Samaritans portions of the
rebuilt walls had been destroyed and some
of the repaired gates had been burned. News
of these conditions greatly saddened Nehe-
miah, who was a trusted official to the
Persian king, Artaxerxes I.
Nehemiah succeeded in securing per-
mission from the king to go to Jerusalem
and rebuild its walls. He was appointed
its governor, and under his able leadership
the walls were eventually completed.
Nehemiah Aroused
1. What is recorded concerning the
identity and position of Nehemiah?
Neh. 1:1, 11, last part; 2:1, first part.
NOTE.—"Nehemiah, one of the Hebrew
exiles, occupied a position of influence and
honor in the Persian court. As cupbearer
to the king he was admitted freely to the
royal presence. By virtue of his position,
and because of his abilities and fidelity, he
had become the monarch's friend and coun-
2.
What report did he receive?
Neh. 1:2, 3.
NOTE.—"The arrival of Hanani and other
Jews from the homeland seems to have been
the first contact Nehemiah had been able
to make with the returned exiles in Judea
since the beginning of hostilities between
Artaxerxes and Megabyzos, the satrap
of the province called 'Beyond the. River,'
of which Judea was
a
part (see on Ezra
4:10). During the period of Megabyzos'
rebellion very little reliable news from
Judea seems to have reached Nehemiah,
though he may have heard rumors of a
Samaritan attack on Jerusalem and the
destruction by them of a part of the re-
cently rebuilt city
wall."—The Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Neh. 1:2.
3.
For what did Nehemiah pray?
Neh. 1:4-11.
I: 34
"Toilers in the busy walks of life, crowded and •
almost overwhelmed with perplexity, can send up a
petition to God for divine guidance."—Ellen G. White.
NOTE.—"Not only did Nehemiah say
that Israel had sinned. He acknowledged
with penitence that he and his father's
house had sinned. 'We have dealt corruptly
against Thee,' he says, placing himself
among those who had dishonored God by
not standing stiffly for the truth. . . .
"We all need to draw near to God. He
will draw near to those who approach Him
in humility, filled with a holy awe for
His sacred majesty, and standing before
Him separate from the world."—Ellen G.
White supplement in
The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p.
1136.
4.
How was the attention of the
king drawn to Nehemiah's problem?
Neh. 2:1, last part, 4.
5.
What request did Nehemiah
make to the king, and how did the
king respond? Neh. 2:5-8.
NOTE.—"The recital of the condition of
Jerusalem awakened the sympathy of the
monarch without arousing his prejudices.
Another question gave the opportunity for
which Nehemiah had long waited: Tor
what dost thou make request ?' But the
man of God did not venture to reply till
he had sought direction from One higher
than Artaxerxes. He had a sacred trust to
fulfill, in which he required help from the
king; and he realized that much depended
upon his presenting the matter in such a
way as to win his approval and enlist his
aid. 'I prayed,' he said, 'to the God of
heaven.' In that brief prayer Nehemiah
pressed into the presence of the King of
kings and won to his side a power that
can turn hearts as the rivers of waters are
turned.
"To pray as Nehemiah prayed in his
hour of need is a resource at the command
of the Christian under circumstances when
other forms of prayer may be impossible.
Toilers in the busy walks of life, crowded
and almost overwhelmed with perplexity,
can send up a petition to God for divine
guidance."—Prophets and Kings,
page 631.
Rebuilding of Walls Begun
6.
Arriving at Jerusalem and not-
ing the condition of its walls, what
did Nehemiah encourage Jerusalem's
inhabitants to do? Neh. 2:9, 11-18.
7.
What reaction did Nehemiah's
arrival and plans arouse? Neh. 2:
10, 19.
8.
How did Nehemiah meet this
opposition? Neh. 2:20.
9.
Encouraged by Nehemiah's en-
thusiastic leadership, to what task did
the people set themselves? Neh. 3.
NOTE.—"The special purpose of this
chapter seems to be the rendering of honor
where honor was due—the placing on record
of the names of the men who nobly came
to the front on this important occasion,
sacrificed ease to duty, and thereby ex-
posed themselves to a threatened hostile
attack."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Neh. 3:1.
[35]
Active Opposition
10.
What did the enemies of the
Jews propose to do? Neh. 4:1-3, 7,
8, 11.
11.
How was the plan foiled? Neh.
4:9, 13, 16-23.
NoTE.—"Satan takes advantage of every
unconsecrated element for the accomplish-
ment of his purposes. Among those who
profess to be the supporters of God's cause
there are those who unite with His enemies
and thus lay His cause open to the attacks
of His bitterest foes. Even some who de-
sire the work of God to prosper will yet
weaken the hands of His servants by hear-
ing, reporting, and half believing the slan-
ders, boasts, and menaces of His adversaries.
Satan works with marvelous success
through his agents, and all who yield
to their influence are subject to a bewitching
power that destroys the wisdom of the
wise and the understanding of the prudent.
But, like Nehemiah, God's people are neither
to fear nor to despise their enemies. Put-
ting their trust in God, they are to go stead-
ily forward, doing His work with unselfish-
ness, and committing to His providence the
cause for which they
stand."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 645.
12.
What further schemes to in-
timidate Nehemiah did the enemy de-
vise? Neh. 6:1, 2, 4, 7, 10.
NoTE.—"The opposition and discourage-
ment that the builders in Nehemiah's day
met from open enemies and pretended
friends is typical of the experience that
those today will have who work for God.
Christians are tried, not only by the anger,
contempt, and cruelty of enemies, but by
the indolence, inconsistency, lukewarmness,
and treachery of avowed friends and help-
ers."—Prophets and Kings,
page 644.
"If we feel our dangers we shall feel the
need of prayer, as did Nehemiah, and like
him we shall obtain that sure defense that
will give us security in peril. If we are
careless and indifferent, we shall surely be
overcome by Satan's devices. We must be
vigilant. While, like Nehemiah, we resort
to prayer, taking all our perplexities and
burdens to God, we should not feel that
we have nothing to do. We are to watch
as well as pray. We should watch the work
of our adversaries, lest they gain advantage
in deceiving souls. We should, in the wis-
dom of Christ, make efforts to defeat
their purposes, while, at the same time, we
do not suffer them to call us from our
great work. Truth is stronger than error."
—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 572.
13.
How did Nehemiah show his
trust in God? Neh. 6:3, 8, 9, 11-14.
14.
What similar opposition may
the people of God expect today?
Rev. 12:12, 17.
NoTE.—"Satanic agencies have been
moved from beneath, and they have in-
spired men to unite in a confederacy of
evil, that they may perplex, harass, and
cause the people of God great distress. The
whole world is to be stirred with enmity
against Seventh-day Adventists, because
they will not yield homage to the papacy,
by honoring Sunday, the institution of this
antichristian power. It is the purpose of
Satan to cause them to be blotted from
the earth, in order that his supremacy of
the world may not be disputed."—Testi-
monies to Ministers,
page 37.
Sabbath school lessons in Braille are supplied free to the blind upon
request. Address: The Christian Record Benevolent Association, Box 66,
Lincoln 6, Nebraska.
[36]
Lesson 11, for June 11, 1960
Reforms Instituted by Nehemiah
MEMORY VERSE:
"He hath showed thee,
0
man, what is good; and what doth
the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 646-668; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of May 26.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8-10; begin read-
Check Here
ing from Study Helps.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 11-14.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Social Evil
1.
The complaint. Neh. 5:1-5.
2.
Rebuke and correction. Neh. .5:
6-13.
3.
Nehemiah's example. Neh. 5:14-19.
II. The Walls Rebuilt
4. The work completed. Neh. 6:15;
7:1.
III. The Reading of the Law
5. Law read and explained. Neh. 8:
1-8.
6. The people's response. Neh. 8:9-12.
7. The Feast of Booths. Neh. 8:13-18.
IV. Rededication
8. Special service. Neh. 9:1-3.
9. Review of past history. Neh. 9:4, 5.
10. Covenant entered into. Neh. 9:38;
10:1, 28, 29.
V. Terms of Covenant
11. Regarding intermarriage. Neh. 10:
30.
12. Regarding Sabbath observance.
Neh. 10:31.
13. Regarding offerings. Neh. 10:32-39.
14. Warning to Christians. Heb. 10:
28, 29.
THE LESSON
completed in an amazingly short time.
Fifty-two days saw the last break repaired
and the last gate installed.
But spiritual rehabilitation was the chief
concern of Ezra and of Nehemiah. Impres-
sive services were held at which the read-
ing of the law and a review of Israel's past
history brought conviction of sin and re-
dedication of life. The people entered into
a covenant to obey God. The outlook ap-
peared bright.
[371
Introduction
The work of rehabilitation was not with-
out difficulties. Serious social evils arose,
which required prompt attention. God
could not bless His people so long as they
walked contrary to His commands. Nehe-
miah was the man of the hour.
Under his efficient and courageous leader-
ship and through the wholehearted co-
operation of the people, the walls were
Social Evil
1.
What complaints did the people
bring to Nehemiah? Neh. 5:1-5.
2.
What rebuke was given and
what result followed? Neh. 5:6-13.
3.
What example of unselfish serv-
ice had Nehemiah given the people?
Neh. 5:14-19.
NOTE.—"The customs of the world are
no criterion for the Christian. He is not
to imitate its sharp practices, its over-
reaching, its extortion. Every unjust act
toward a fellow being is a violation of the
golden rule. Every wrong done to the
children of God is done to Christ Himself
in the person of His saints. Every attempt
to take advantage of the ignorance, weak-
ness, or misfortune of another is registered
as fraud in the ledger of heaven. He who
truly fears God, would rather toil day and
night, and eat the bread of poverty, than
to indulge the passion for gain that op-
presses the widow and fatherless or turns
the stranger from his right. . . .
"We were all debtors to divine justice,
but we had nothing with which to pay the
debt. Then the Son of God, who pitied
us, paid the price of our redemption. He
became poor that through His poverty
we might be rich. By deeds of liberality
toward His poor we may prove the sin-
cerity of our gratitude for the mercy ex-
tended to
us."—Prophets and Kings,
pages
651, 652.
The Walls Rebuilt
4.
What work was finally accomp-
plished? Neh. 6:15; 7:1.
NorE.—"Notwithstanding the plots of
enemies, open and secret, the work of
building went steadily forward, and in less
than two months from the time of Nehe-
miah's arrival in Jerusalem the city was
girded with its defences and the builders
could walk upon the walls, and look down
upon their defeated and astonished foes."
—Prophets and Kings,
page 657.
The Reading of the Law
5.
At the gathering at Jerusalem in
the seventh month, what did Ezra
and his associates do? Neh. 8:1-8.
NOTE.—"On a platform of wood, erected
in one of the broadest streets, and sur-
rounded on every hand by the sad re-
minders of Judah's departed glory, stood
Ezra, now an aged man. At his right and
left were gathered his brother Levites.
Looking down from the platform, their eyes
swept over a sea of heads. From all the
surrounding country the children of the
covenant had assembled. 'And Ezra blessed
the Lord, the great God. And all the people
answered, Amen.' . . .
"Yet even here was evidence of the sin
of Israel. Through the intermarriage of
the people with other nations, the Hebrew
language had become corrupted, and great
care was necessary on the part of the
speakers to explain the law in the language
of the people, that it might be understood
by
all."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 661,
662.
6.
How were the people affected?
Neh. 8:9-12.
NOTE.—"As the law was explained, they
were convinced of their guilt, and they
mourned because of their transgressions.
But this day was a festival, a day of re-
joicing, a holy convocation, a day which
the Lord had commanded the people to
keep with joy and gladness; and in view
of this they were bidden to restrain their
grief and to rejoice because of God's great
mercy toward them. . . .
"There was great rejoicing because the
words of the law had been read and under-
stood."—Prophets and Kings,
page 662.
7.
What feast was observed? Neh.
8:13-18.
[ 38 ]
/1w1 I
The Christian is honest in all his dealings. He refuses
to imitate the sharp practices, fraud,
or extortion of the world.
Rededication
8.
What special service was held
on the twenty-fourth day of the
month? Neh. 9:1-3.
NOTE.—"As they had listened from day
to day to the words of the law, the people
had been convicted of their transgressions,
and of the sins of their nation in past
generations. They saw that it was be-
cause of a departure from God that His
protecting care had been withdrawn and
that the children of Abraham had been
scattered in foreign lands, and they deter-
mined to seek His mercy and to pledge
themselves to walk in His commandments.
Before entering upon this solemn service,
held on the second day after the close of
the Feast of Tabernacles, they separated
themselves from the heathen among them."
—Prophets and Kings,
page 665.
9.
What did certain of the Levites
do, and what were the people in-
structed to do? Neh. 9:4, 5.
NoTE.—"As the people prostrated them-
selves before the Lord, confessing their sins
and pleading for pardon, their leaders en-
couraged them to believe that God, ac-
cording to His promise, heard their prayers.
They must not only mourn and weep, and
repent, but they must believe that God
pardoned them. They must show their faith
by recounting His mercies and praising Him
for His
goodness."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 665, 666.
The people blessed the name of God in
the form of a song of praise. Neh. 9:6.
Following this, the leaders recounted Israel's
past history, stressing particularly Israel's
ingratitude, and acknowledging God's jus-
tice in the punishments He had allowed to
come upon His people. Neh. 9:7-37. Read
the whole passage to catch the spirit of re-
pentance and of praise to God for His
justice and mercy. May every child of
God who reads this passage review his own
past experience and see in it the hand of a
merciful and loving heavenly Father.
10.
Stirred by the confessions of
the Levites, what did the leaders and
people do? Neh. 9:38; 10:1, 28, 29.
NoTE.—"Israel had returned to God with
deep sorrow for backsliding. They had
made confession with mourning and lamen-
tation. They had acknowledged the right-
eousness of God's dealings with them, and
had covenanted to obey His law. Now they
must manifest faith in His promises. God
had accepted their repentance; they were
now to rejoice in the assurance of sins
forgiven and their restoration to divine
favor."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 667,
668.
Terms of Covenant
11.
What reform was undertaken
regarding intermarriages with the
heathen? Neh. 10:30.
12.
What promises were made with
respect to Sabbath observance? Neh.
10:31.
13.
What provisions were made
for the payment of tithes and offer-
ings? Neh. 10:32-39.
39
14. What warning is given to those
who enter into solemn covenant with
Christ? Heb. 10:28, 29.
NoTE.-"Every child and youth, every
man and woman, has Jesus rescued by His
own blood from the abyss of ruin to
which Satan was compelling them to go.
Because sinners will not accept of the
salvation freely offered them, are they re-
leased from their obligations? Their choos-
ing to remain in sin and bold transgres-
sion does not lessen their guilt. Jesus paid
a price for them, and they belong to Him.
They are His property; and if they will
not yield obedience to Him who has given
His life for them, but devote their time
and strength and talents to the service of
Satan, they are earning their wages, which
is death. . .
"Those who have once rejoiced in the
evidence of sins forgiven, who have tasted
a Saviour's love and who then persist in
uniting with the foes of Christ, rejecting
the perfect righteousness that Jesus offers
them and choosing the ways that He has
condemned, will be more severely judged
than the heathen who have never had the
light and have never known God or His
law ."-T estimonies,
vol. 3, pp. 365, 366.
Lesson 12, for
June 18, 1960
Failure of Exiles to Fulfill Divine Purpose
MEMORY VERSE:
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to
present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."
Jude 24.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 669-678; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of June 2.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-7.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-11.
❑
Check
Here
Wednesday: Questions 12-14; read
from Study Helps.
❑
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Nehemiah's Return to Jerusalem
1.
Nehemiah's absence. Neh. 13:6.
2.
Temple profaned. Neh. 13:1-5, 7;
Deut. 23:3-5.
3.
Temple cleansed. Neh. 13:8, 9.
II. God's Laws Broken
4.
Levites neglected. Neh. 13:10.
5.
Neglect corrected. Neh. 13:11-14.
6.
Sabbath broken. Neh. 13:15, 16.
7. Situation corrected. Neh. 13:17-22.
III. Heathen Alliances
8. Foreign marriages. Neh. 13:23, 24.
9. Sinners upbraided. Neh. 13:25-29.
10. Reformation. Neh. 13:30, 31.
11. Reform temporary. Mal. 1:6-10;
3:7.
IV. Final Victory Assured
12. Final purification. Mal. 3:1-6.
13. Secret of victory. 2 Peter 1:5-10.
14. Victory promised. Jude 24.
40
THE LESSON
Introduction
Soon after entering upon this solemn
covenant to serve the Lord, the Jews again
lapsed into apostasy. Nehemiah was absent
for a brief period; and being left without
strong leadership, they seemed powerless
against Satan's devices.
What was the reason for their failure?
They had no life and root in themselves.
Their spiritual experiences seemed to be
principally influenced by their leader. This
had been the situation ever since they left
Egypt. When a leader ardent in the service
of God arose, the people followed the Lord.
When one with idolatrous tendencies came
upon the scene, large numbers drifted into
apostasy. They lacked a personal religious
experience.
Nehemiah's Return to Jerusalem
1.
Where did Nehemiah go for a
time? Neh. 13:6.
NorE.—"It is from this passage only that
we know of Nehemiah's two terms as
governor. His first term was for 12 years
(ch. 5:14), but no indication is given of
the length of his second term. It must have
ended before 407 B.c., when, we know from
an Elephantine letter, the governor of Judea
was Bigvai."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Neh. 13:6.
2.
What profanation of the house
of God had taken place during Nehe-
miah's absence? Neh. 13:1-5, 7; Deut.
23:3-5.
NoTE.—"During his [Nehemiah's] ab-
sence from Jerusalem, evils crept in that
threatened to pervert the nation. Idolaters
not only gained a foothold in the city, but
contaminated by their presence the very
precincts of the temple. Through inter-
marriage, a friendship had been brought
about between Eliashib the high priest and
Tobiah the Ammonite, Israel's bitter en-
emy. As a result of this unhallowed al-
liance, Eliashib had permitted Tobiah to
occupy an apartment connected with the
temple, which heretofore had been used as
a storeroom for tithes and offerings of the
people.
"Because of the cruelty and treachery of
the Ammonites and Moabites toward Israel,
God had declared through Moses that they
should be forever shut out from the con-
gregation of His people. See Deuteronomy
23:3-6. In defiance of this word, the high
priest had cast out the offerings stored in
the chamber of God's house, to make a
place for this representative of a proscribed
race. Greater contempt for God could not
have been shown than to confer such a
favor on this enemy of God and His truth."
—Prophets and Kings,
pages 669, 670.
3.
How did Nehemiah meet this
situation? Neh. 13:8, 9.
God's Laws Broken
4.
What responsibility to the Le-
vites had the people neglected? Neh.
13:10.
NOTE.—"What Nehemiah saw was that
the Levites were absent, and that the temple
service was neglected. On inquiry, he as-
certained the reason for their absence—
tithe had not been paid. Since the Levites
lived from the tithe and the first fruits,
and these were held back, they had to earn
a living from the fields surrounding the
towns and the villages where they lived."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Neh. 13:10.
5.
How was the evil rectified?
Neh. 13:11-14.
NorE.—"Of the four treasurers, one was
priest, one a Levite, one a secretary, and
one a layman of rank. In this way the
main classes of the population were repre-
sented. The individuals mentioned cannot
be identified, though several of the names
occur elsewhere in Nehemiah."—The
Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
Neh. 13:13.
41
What shall it profit to build a city and a temple,
but break God's holy law and apostatize?
6.
How far had the people departed
from the Lord in the matter of Sab-
bath observance? Neh. 13:15, 16.
NOTE.—"Another
result of intercourse
with idolaters was a disregard of the Sab-
bath, the sign distinguishing the Israelites
from all other nations as worshipers of the
true God. Nehemiah found that heathen
merchants and traders from the surround-
ing country, coming to Jerusalem, had
induced many among the Israelites to en-
gage in traffic on the
Sabbath."—Prophets
and Kings,
page
671.
7.
What definite steps in reform
were taken? Neh. 13:17-22.
Heathen Alliances
8.
Into what other error had the
people again fallen? Neh. 13:23, 24.
9.
In correcting this situation, what
drastic course did Nehemiah pursue
to meet the problem? Neh. 13:25-29.
NOTE.—"There
were some in sacred office
who pleaded for their heathen wives, de-
claring that they could not bring themselves
to separate from them. But no distinction
was made; no respect was shown for rank
or position. . . .
"Many who had married idolaters chose
to go with them into exile, and these, with
those who had been expelled from the con-
gregation, joined the Samaritans. Hither
some who had occupied high positions in the
work of God found their way and after a
time cast in their lot fully with them. De-
siring to strengthen this alliance, the Sa-
maritans promised to adopt more fully the
Jewish faith and customs, and the apos-
tates, determined to outdo their former
brethren, erected a temple on Mount Ger-
izim in opposition to the house of God at
Jerusalem. Their religion continued to be
a mixture of Judaism and heathenism, and
their claim to be the people of God was
the source of schism, emulation, and enmity
between the two nations, from generation
to generation."—Prophets
and Kings,
pages
674, 675.
10.
What success followed Nehe-
miah's reform measures? Neh. 13:
30, 31.
NOTE.—"The
success attending Nehe-
miah's efforts shows what prayer, faith,
and wise, energetic action will accomplish.
Nehemiah was not a priest; he was not a
prophet; he made no pretension to high
title. He was a reformer raised up for
an important time. It was his aim to set
his people right with God. Inspired with
a great purpose, he bent every energy of
his being to its accomplishment. High,
unbending integrity marked his efforts. As
he came into contact with evil and oppo-
sition to right he took so determined a stand
that the people were roused to labor with
fresh zeal and courage. They could not
but recognize his loyalty, his patriotism, and
his deep love for God; and, seeing this,
they were willing to follow where he led."
—Prophets and Kings,
pages
675, 676.
11.
What subsequent record reveals
the temporary nature of this reforma-
tion? Mal. 1:6-10; 3:7.
NoTE.—"Under the leadership of Zerub-
babel, of Ezra, and of Nehemiah they re-
peatedly covenanted to keep all the com-
mandments and ordinances of Jehovah. The
[ 42 ]
seasons of prosperity that followed gave
ample evidence of God's willingness to ac-
cept and forgive, and yet with fatal short-
sightedness they turned again and again
from their glorious destiny and selfishly
appropriated to themselves that which
would have brought healing and spiritual
life to countless multitudes.
"This failure to fulfill the divine purpose
was very apparent in Malachi's day. Sternly
the Lord's messenger dealt with the evils
that were robbing Israel of temporal pros-
perity and spiritual power. In his rebuke
against transgressors the prophet spared
neither priests nor people. 'The burden
of the word of the Lord to Israel' through
Malachi was that the lessons of the past be
not forgotten, and that the covenant made
by Jehovah with the house of Israel be
kept with fidelity. Only by heartfelt re-
pentance could the blessing of God be
realized."—Prophets and Kings,
page 705.
Final Victory Assured
12. How did the Lord say He
would eventually purify the sons of
Levi? Mal. 3:1-6.
NOTE.—"When the promised Messiah was
about to appear, the message of the fore-
runner of Christ was: Repent, publicans
and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sad-
ducees; 'for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.'
"Today, in the spirit and power of Elias
and of John the Baptist, messengers of
God's appointment are calling the atten-
tion of a judgment-bound world to the
solemn events soon to take place in con-
nection with the closing hours of probation
and the appearance of Christ Jesus as King
of kings and Lord of lords. Soon every
man is to be judged for the deeds done in
the body. The hour of God's judgment has
come, and upon the members of His church
on earth rests the solemn responsibility of
giving warning to those who are standing
as it were on the very brink of eternal ruin."
—Prophets and Kings,
pages 715, 716.
13.
How only can the Christian
keep from falling into repeated er-
rors? 2 Peter 1:5-10.
NOTE.—"Christ, who connects earth with
heaven, is the ladder. The base is planted
firmly on the earth in His humanity; the
topmost round reaches to the throne of
God in His divinity. The humanity of
Christ embraces fallen humanity, while
His divinity lays hold upon the throne of
God. We are saved by climbing round
after round of the ladder, looking to Christ,
clinging to Christ, mounting step by step
to the height of Christ, so that He is made
unto us wisdom and righteousness and
sanctification and redemption."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 6, p. 147.
14.
What power for victory is
promised? Jude 24.
Lesson 13, for June 25, 1960
The Divine Purpose Fulfilled in the Christian Church
MEMORY VERSE:
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the
things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if
the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and dis-
obedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if
we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:1-3.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," vol. 4, pp. 34-38;
"Prophets and Kings," pages 703-733; "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 296-
306; "Testimonies," vol. 6, pp. 9-13; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of
June 9.
[ 43
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4, 5; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
❑
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 6-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
0
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline
Introduction
I. Israel's Failures Illustrated
1.
Record for our learning. Rom. 15:4.
2.
The vineyard and the husbandmen.
Matt. 21:33.
3.
Failure of repeated efforts. Matt.
21:34-36.
II. Israel's.Last Opportunity
4.
Final effort. Matt. 21:37-39.
5.
Status as chosen people removed.
Matt. 21:43, first part.
III. Privileges Transferred to the Chris-
tian Church
6. Another nation chosen. Matt. 21:
43, last part.
7. New nation identified. 1 Peter 2:9.
8. Individuals not rejected. Rom. 11:
1, 5.
9. Abraham's spiritual descendants.
Gal. 3:29.
IV. Responsibilities
10. World missionaries. Mark 16:15.
V. Warnings
11. Danger of coming short. Heb. 4:
1, 2.
12. Failure through lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4:6.
13. The church triumphant. John 14:
3; Rev. 7:9, 14-17; 21:3; 22:1-4.
THE LESSON
Introduction
As
a people, the Jews in the times of
Ezra and Nehemiah failed to fulfill the
divine purpose. So did their descendants
in the period between the Testaments. But
God offered them one last opportunity. He
sent to them His Son. Glorious would have
been Israel's future if she had accepted
her Saviour. See
The Desire of Ages,
page
577. When the nation rejected Him it lost
its status as God's representative in the
world. That privilege was transferred to
the Christian church.
Today the remnant church in a special
sense is the inheritor of the privileges and
responsibilities of ancient Israel. Already
there has been a measure of failure. "Had
the church of Christ done her appointed
work as the Lord ordained, the whole world
would before this have been warned, and
the Lord Jesus would have come to our
earth in power and great glory."-The
Desire of Ages,
pages 633, 634.
"Whatsoever things were written afore-
time were written for our learning." Rom.
15:4. It is important that we heed the
lessons of Israel's failure and avoid her
mistakes.
Israel's Failures Illustrated
1. For what purpose have the rec-
ords of Israel's history in the times
of Ezra and Nehemiah been pre-
served? Rom. 15:4.
NOTE.-"I was pointed back to ancient
Israel. They had great light and exalted
privileges; yet they did not live up to the
light nor appreciate their advantages, and
[ 44 ]
FAILURE
COWS COMMISSION
OW OD Wawa ii•M•••••• •••••••
" :Obey My Voice""Go
rrePare to Meet Thy God
Will
God's remnant church finish His plan and
obey His commission, which Israel failed to do?
their light became darkness. They walked
in the light of their own eyes instead of
following the leadings of God. The history
of the children of Israel was written for
the benefit of those who live in the last
days, that they may avoid following their
example of
unbelief."—Testimonies, vol.
4,
p. 43.
2.
In His parable showing the re-
jection of the chosen people, to what
did Jesus liken Israel? Matt. 21:33.
Compare Isa. 5:1.
3.
How does the parable illustrate
God's repeated efforts to secure Is-
rael's co-operation? Matt. 21:34-36.
Compare Isa. 5:2, 4.
NOTE.—"With a father's heart, God bore
with His people. He pleaded with them by
mercies given and mercies withdrawn. Pa-
tiently He set their sins before them, and in
forbearance waited for their acknowledg-
ment. Prophets and messengers were sent
to urge God's claim upon the husbandmen;
but instead of being welcomed, they were
treated as enemies. The husbandmen per-
secuted and killed
them."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 293.
Israel's Last Opportunity
4.
What final effort did God make,
and what was the response? Matt.
21:37-39.
NoTE.—"Christ, the Beloved of God,
came to assert the claims of the Owner of
the vineyard; but the husbandmen treated
Him with marked contempt, saying, We
will not have this man to rule over us.
They envied Christ's beauty of character.
His manner of teaching was far superior
to theirs, and they dreaded His success.
He remonstrated with them, unveiling their
hypocrisy, and showing them the sure re-
sults of their course of action. This stirred
them to madness. . . . His whole life was
a reproof to their selfishness, and, when the
final test came, the test which meant obedi-
ence unto eternal life or disobedience unto
eternal death, they rejected the Holy One
of
Israel."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages
293, 294.
5.
As a result, what privilege was
taken from Israel? Matt. 21:43, first
part.
NOTE.—"Christ designed that the Phari-
sees should answer as they did. He de-
signed that they should condemn them-
selves. His warnings, failing to arouse them
to repentance, would seal their doom, and
He wished them to see that they had
brought ruin on themselves. He designed
to show them the justice of God in the
withdrawal of their national privileges,
which had already begun, and which would
end, not only in the destruction of their
temple and their city, but in the dispersion
of the nation."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
597.
Privileges Transferred to the
Christian Church
6.
To whom was the kingdom of
God to be given? Matt. 21:43, last
part.
NorE.—"That which God purposed to
do for the world through Israel, the chosen
nation, He will finally accomplish through
[-
45 ]
His church on earth today. He has 'let out
His vineyard unto other husbandmen,' even
to His covenant-keeping people, who faith-
fully 'render Him the fruits in their sea-
sons.' Never has the Lord been without
true representatives on this earth who have
made His interests their own. These wit-
nesses for God are numbered among the
spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled
all the covenant promises made by Jehovah
to His ancient
people."—Prophets and
Kings,
pages 713, 714.
7.
Who constitutes
.
this new na-
tion? 1 Peter 2:9.
NOTE.—"I was shown that those who are
trying to obey God and purify their souls
through obedience to the truth are God's
chosen people, His modern Israel."—Testi-
monies, vol.
2, p. 109.
8.
What shows that the Jews as
individuals were not rejected? Rom.
11:1, 5.
NOTE.—"Through unbelief and the re-
jection of Heaven's purpose for her, Israel
as a nation had lost her connection with
God. But the branches that had been
separated from the parent stock God was
able to reunite with the true stock of Is-
rael—the remnant who had remained true
to the God of their fathers."—The
Acts of
the Apostles,
pages 377, 378.
9.
To whom do the promises to
Abraham now apply? Gal. 3:29.
NOTE.—"As spiritual children of Abra-
ham, Christians become 'joint heirs with
Christ' (Rom. 8:17). As Son of God,
Christ is likewise heir to the honor and
glory of heaven, and those who believe in
Him fall heir to a position of honor in the
universe that would never have been pos-
sible for created beings to enjoy had the
Word not become flesh (John 1:1, 14).
At the Incarnation, divinity and humanity
were united by ties never to be broken
(DA 21, 25, 26). As heirs with Abraham
to the covenant promises, all who emulate
his lofty example of faith will enter the
`city which hath foundations,' to which he
himself ever looked forward in faith (Heb.
11:10)."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Gal. 3:29.
Responsibilities
10.
What work that Israel failed to
do has the Christian church been
called to perform? Mark 16:15.
NOTE.—"All who are ordained unto the
life of Christ are ordained to work for the
salvation of their fellow men. Their hearts
will throb in unison with the heart of
Christ. The same longing for souls that He
has felt will be manifest in them. Not all
can fill the same place in the work, but
there is a place and a work for all."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 301.
Warnings
11.
In view of Israel's failure, what
is the church of God to fear? Heb.
4:1, 2. Compare Heb. 2:1-3.
NOTE.—"The same disobedience and
failure which were seen in the Jewish church
have characterized in a greater degree the
people who have had this great light from
heaven in the last messages of warning.
Shall we, like them, squander our oppor-
tunities and privileges until God shall per-
mit oppression and persecution to• come
upon us? Will the work which might be
performed in peace and comparative pros-
perity be left undone until it must be
performed in days of darkness, under the
pressure of trial and persecution
?"—Testi-
monies, vol.
5, pp. 456, 457.
12.
Through what lack was Israel
destroyed? Hosea 4:6.
13.
What glorious future awaits
the church triumphant? John 14:3;
Rev. 7:9, 14-17; 21:3; 22:1-4.
I 46
NOTE.—"There, immortal minds will con-
template with never-failing delight the won-
ders of creative power, the mysteries of
redeeming love. There will be no cruel, de-
ceiving foe to tempt to forgetfulness of
God. Every faculty will be developed, every
capacity increased. The acquirement of
knowledge will not weary the mind or ex-
haust the energies. There the grandest en-
terprises may be carried forward, the loftiest
aspirations reached, the highest ambitions
realized; and still there will arise new
heights to surmount, new wonders to ad-
mire, new truths to comprehend, fresh ob-
jects to call forth the powers of mind and
soul and body. And the years of eternity, as
they roll, will bring riches and still more
glorious revelations of God and of Christ."
—The Great Controversy,
pages 677, 67&.
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
June 25, 1960, Southern European Division
This quarter the overflow of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering goes
to the Southern European Division, which extends into three conti-
nents: Europe, Africa, and Asia, where nearly 300,000,000 souls are to
be evangelized. What a challenge!
Our projects for the offering overflow this quarter will strengthen
our evangelistic program. Two chapels are to be built—one in Novi
Sad, Yugoslavia, and the other in Lourenco Marques, Mozambique,
Africa. They are to be used as evangelistic centers for these two cities.
At our Munguluni Mission in Mozambique the water supply is insuf-
ficient and unhealthful. It is with a sense of urgency, therefore, that
we
provide a proper water supply for this mission, where also a new mis-
sion home must be built. Let us sustain the work of God in these areas
by a splendid offering on June 25.
The fields to benefit from the overflow for the next four quarters
are: Third quarter—Australasian Division
Fourth quarter—Inter-American Division
First quarter, i961—Middle East Division
Second quarter—Southern African Division
LESSONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER, 1960
Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior
Lesson Quarterly
for the third quarter of 1960 will be helped by the following outline in studying
the first lesson. The title of the first lesson is "The Law and the Gospel." The
Memory Verse is Rom. 8:3, 4. The texts to be studied are:
Ques. 1. Heb. 11:3 ; Isa. 40:26.
Ques. 2. Acts 17 :28 ; Deut. 30 : 19.
Ques. 3. Ps. 119:104 ; Rom. 3 :20.
Ques. 4. John 8:9; 1 John 3:21.
Ques. 5. Prov. 15:9; Ps. 37:38.
Ques. 6. Rom. 5 :12 ; 3 : 23.
Ques. 7. Rom. 3:24-26.
Ques. 8. Rom. 5:18, 19; 1 John 1:9.
Ques. 9. Rom. 8:3, 4.
Ques. 10. Heb. 11:8; Acts 6:7; Rev. 14:12.
Ques. 11. Acts 17:31.
Ques. 12. John 3:18.
Ques. 13. Rom. 6:22.
Ques. 14. Heb. 10:15, 16.
[ 47 ]
SOUTHERN
EUROPEAN DIVISION
TANGANYIKA
UNION MISSION
DIVISION TOTALS
POPULATION
CHURCHES CO. MEN.
SS. MEM
278,970,131
1.515
100515
148445
YUGOSLAVIAN U. C.
MOZAMBIQUE
1.4.
17,300000
4,500,000
230
8,423
9,000
12
1,212
4073
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